Blue and White Night: A Celebration of Athletic Pride & Community Support

Join the StFX Athletics community at Oak Manor this Thursday, March 13th, for a night of fun, community, and giving back with the highly anticipated ‘Blue and White Night’.

This Thursday, Oak Manor will host an unforgettable event aimed at uniting the StFX Athletics community, raising funds for the Athletic Therapy department, and providing a much-needed break for student-athletes as they approach the end of the semester.

This evening will feature an exciting line-up of entertainment, kicking off at 7 pm with musical bingo hosted by local comedian Brad Ball, followed by live music from Desmond Thomas at 9 pm. Whether you’re an athlete, a supporter, or simply looking to unwind, the evening promises something for everyone. Not only will the night be filled with entertainment, but attendees can also take part in raffles and enjoy delicious baked goods from local baker Sam Diltz, keeper for the StFX men’s soccer team.

Event coordinator Katie Yanicki states, “Our primary goal for this event is to foster connections between club and varsity athletes while providing a fun-packed evening in support of the athletic therapy department of StFX Athletics. With the Athletic Therapy clinic recently extending its services to club athletes, we see this as an opportunity for all athletes at StFX to give back to those who help them perform and recover throughout the year”.

This event will also feature a raffle, with prizes generously donated by local businesses such as Cleve’s Source for Sports, Canadian Tire, SportChek, and Oak Manor by Burnside. The diverse crowd of athletes and their supporters coming together in the spirit of StFX pride offers the chance to raise significant funds, that will go towards the continuation of services offered by the athletic therapy department.

The coordinators of this event invite all attendees to wear blue and white in support of StFX and its athletics, to unite the athletics community and cultivate a strong sense of school spirit throughout the evening. ‘Blue and White Night’ is more than just a fundraiser—it’s an opportunity to connect, celebrate, and give back. Whether you are a varsity athlete, club athlete, or an enthusiastic supporter, your presence will help make the night a success—don’t miss your opportunity to be part of an unforgettable evening.

For more information visit the event page on Instagram @blueandwhitenight2025.

Where: Oak Manor

When: Thursday, March 13 (7-11 pm)

$5 entry fee: Cash and e-transfer accepted

The Forgotten Residence: StFX’s Hidden Gem

Cosily tucked behind the Amelia Saputo and Keating Centres is a small, fifty-person residence known as FX Hall. Not quite as grandiose as the suite halls, and with less than a quarter of the residents in buildings such as Mount Saint-Bernard or Bishops, it remains a charming, unique building in its own right.

I will preface this piece with a disclaimer: I am a two-time resident of FX Hall. I spent my first year there in a double room and am currently spending my third year in the building working as a Community Advisor. In short, I am absolutely biased. I did spend a year in-between enjoying a nice, calm experience at O'Regan Hall, but when I got offered a job returning to FX, I could not resist coming home. My objective here is not to advertise the building, but more so to talk about why I personally appreciate the residence. It is a spot I believe to be far too often ignored on campus.

FX is an old building. Originally, it was known as Coady-McNeil, being a part of the Coady International Institute. At first glance, one may mistake it for a 1930s prison. We are not exactly dealing with the pristine architecture of Riley, O’Regan, or Governors, and it is a far cry from that weird modernist look that the Mulroney Institute assumes, but as far as I’m concerned, who needs it? FX has its own thing going on. Its interior is characterised by large white bricks that also make up the walls of the dorm rooms. Those of us who get a single room are blessed with a sink– an amenity that no other building outside of the suite halls get to enjoy– and while those in doubles don’t get the sink, the rooms are very spacious, and there is a pod bathroom next to each one.

The building also comes equipped with one of the nicer lounges on campus. It's fairly large (although not as large as the big, empty rooms in O’Regan and Riley) and includes a TV, ping-pong table, and a mural for residents to sign their name (painted by our very own  John Julien and Lily Trudel this year). Also included is our famous FX Hall patio, which may look like a bunch of almost uniform concrete slabs and a picnic table but is actually a place where many residents made some fond memories. Additionally, there is a second picnic table placed further away from the building for the residents who might want to enjoy a smoke without going too far away. The building also comes with a large kitchen where one could find residents cooking up all sorts of meals on any given night. My personal favourite spot is the CA Hub (again, I am absolutely biased), which acts as a sort of second lounge. 

There are geographical pros and cons to this building. It is about as far away from any lecture hall as one could get while remaining on campus, meaning that poor weather leads to miserable commutes from the residence to class.  Residents may also find themselves annoyed whenever a sports game is occurring and we’re not able to traverse under the ‘tunnel’ (the bleachers by the X field). There is no sidewalk between the building and MacIsaac either, meaning you can either walk on the roadside or Nova Scotia’s signature walking paths: wet grass. That being said, it is directly next door to the Keating and Saputo centres, so it's perfect for anyone who frequents the student gym. Even more importantly, it is the second closest residence building to Tim Horton’s (no, I am not counting Somers and Powers), making it ideal for those of us that are regular pedestrians on James Street- Not to mention decent proximity to the aptly named Liquor Lane.

I talked to Lexi Hubbard, the current SCA of the building who also took the role of CA last year.

“I’ve been here two years now, and this building seems to draw in some of the best people who all kind of find each other in ways I haven’t really seen in other buildings. There’s always people hanging out in the lounge or cooking stuff in the kitchen.”

I must agree with Lexi fully here, community is one of FX Hall’s strongest points. With a capacity for about fifty residents, one easily gets to know most of their neighbours through the programs us CAs run or simply by popping into our lounge on any given evening. Students are also welcome to join the staff in the CA Hub during their shifts. The experience was similar during my first year, the place really creates a tight-knit community. In my time as a CA, I have been lucky enough to see my residents growing closer, regularly meeting up for study sessions/movie nights/ping pong competitions.

“I like that the people feel like family,” says CA Lily Trudel, agreeing with Lexi. 

Another CA, Alisha Lalani, had some thoughts on the building too.

“Coming from India to FX Hall and going through all the changes, my best decision was staying here. It's cozy, welcoming, and I have no complaints about anything. Whatever I needed, FX had. It truly provided the peacefulness and comfort of home away from home.”

Alisha really doubles down on my favourite aspect of the building: the quietness. 

CA Daphne Jardine shared their thoughts on living here too.

“FX Hall is a hidden gem on the StFX campus. The University staff, specifically [our custodian] Andrea, and the students who live in this building create such a loving and caring community. Anyone would be lucky to live in FX Hall, and I thank my lucky stars every day that I ended up here when I needed it the most.”

It's not just the CAs who think the building is great either. I asked a few of our residents what they think, starting with Shree Vikram, a Masters in Applied Computer Science student in his second year both as a Xaverian and an FX resident, what he thinks.

“Based on the environment- it’s quiet, cozy, the lounge and hub, the kitchen especially, are big and spacious, compared to other residence buildings. Much of the building is international students, which leads to cool exposure to different cultures. I like this residence so much that I decided to apply for the same room two years in a row.” 

FX indeed happens to have the most international students of any building on campus. In my own experience it has been an honour to get to learn about cultures from all over the world.

I also asked Elie Charron, an international student from France who spent a term in FX Hall back in 2022

“Well I had a great time there, and if you're a student and get the opportunity to study in another country, you should seize it.”

Finally, I asked Jackson Begin, a third-year Anthropology student, about his experience. 

“I lived in Cam[eron] Hall during my first year, but I didn’t want to live in a double. I was relocated into FX Hall, which at that point I’ve already heard from many of my friends that it's a peaceful, quiet, and kind of homey residence. When I moved there in January, I had all of those things confirmed for me in the best way possible. I lived in a fun, tight-knit community with my friends that's perfect for people with a preference towards quieter, more tame environments.” 

I think these student accounts speak for themselves.

The reason I consider it a ‘forgotten’ residence is simply because it's often just that, a forgotten place. FX often finds itself unmentioned, it does not get a page on StFX’s official website for residences, on occasions where residents gathered to do their house cheers, we have sometimes been skipped over and has even been left out in lists of residences in articles by the Xaverian Weekly. 

Regardless, my experience in the building has been nothing short of great. I’m rather interested in what the next academic year will bring for the building. I hope to return there for my fourth and final year to work as a CA again. A big part of the building is the events that both us CAs and the house council run, from movie and trivia nights to our famous ‘Jam Sessions with J.T. and Daphne’. So here is my recommendation for anyone seeking housing for next year: apply to FX.

Where does StFX Stand Politically: Survey Results

Over the first few weeks of February, I posted and circulated a survey around public spaces at StFX that asked students to anonymously indicate which party they’re most favourable towards, and to rank the most pressing issues Canadians face today according to their personal importance. My goal was to reach 200 replies so I would have a realistic sample size and therefore a good indication of how StFX really felt politically, and I achieved this goal. In this article, I will show you some interesting graphs I was able to compile using the demographic data volunteered by participants.  

Before I get to the graphs, however, I have to make some caveats. First, certain demographics were too small to include in the demographic-based graphs while respecting the anonymity of the respondents and the meaningfulness of the data. There were only two students who selected “education” as their program, one who selected “graduate studies,” and only seven students who selected “other” as their gender. Data drawn from these numbers alone would not tell us anything conclusive. Nevertheless, everyone who participated in the survey is included in the “All Students” bar in the graph ranking political issues, and those who selected “other” are still included in the graph representing their major. One final caveat is that conservative hesitancy in polling is a real phenomenon. If you’ve never heard of this, look up the “shy tory factor” or “social desirability bias.” Anecdotally, I have already heard of conservative students not wanting to complete the survey because I might be a nefarious character who would expose them. That is unfortunate, but it is what it is. I don’t think it would change too much if this wasn’t the case, but just keep in mind that StFX students may be marginally more conservative than a poll could indicate.  

With all that out of the way, here are the results of the survey. I’ll begin with the preferred parties of different majors, starting with Bachelor of Arts Students: 

I don’t think this or any of the other first three graphs are too surprising. Canadian universities are known to be pretty left-leaning places, and I don’t think anyone, regardless of political leaning, would guess that Bachelor of Arts students would be the ones to buck this trend. Up next, we have Bachelor of Science students: 

Almost identical. If you’re a Liberal or New Democrat, use this graph to epically own your Conservative friends by claiming that it is proof that Conservatives are anti-science. However, I will be collecting royalties if you choose to do so. On to Schwartz School of Business: 

Another shocking twist. It is cool to see some diversity of thought among departments, however isolated they might be from each other. Sometimes I wonder, though, if there’s a divide between how Conservative business students are and how Conservative actual businesspeople are. Because if I was a Canadian businessman and for 10 years I watched Liberal insiders collect those cheeky little government contracts and bailouts, I might buy some lobbying time and become Trudeau’s next best friend myself! 

These upcoming graphs are going to get far juicier than what we’ve already seen. Next, we have the differences in political preference between men and women on campus. Here are both graphs together: 

This one actually did surprise me. I understand I may be missing out on some nuances from my personal position, but it seems weird that men are more likely to be Conservatives but equally likely to support the NDP. I know this isn’t reflective of the country as a whole, and a university campus is a pretty unique place. But I feel like if men are more conservative (“small c” on purpose here), then shouldn’t there be more Liberal men than NDP men, since the Liberal party is ostensibly less left-wing than the NDP? It seems like the Liberal party must have done something to seriously alienate men that did not affect women at all, but I can’t think of what they could have done that would be so different than the NDP. Alternatively, men could just be more radical if the Liberals are seen as centrist, but the next graph would seem to suggest otherwise.  

This brings us to our finale. The juiciest graph of them all. Forthwith, I am about to expose the ideological divide between men and women on campus...prepare yourselves: 

These numbers were found by averaging all responses to each question by men and by women, and the total average of all responses (including those who selected other) as well. The average difference between men and women only equaled 0.79 which is not that high considering each issue was ranked out of 10, so a big win for unity between the sexes.  

I know that’s not what you care about, though, dear reader, so I have compiled the issues that men and women differed the most on.  

The top 5 most divisive issues at StFX are: 

1. Progressive social issues – 168% higher than the average difference (HTAD) 

2. Childcare – 78% HTAD 

3. Indigenous issues – 63% HTAD 

4. Climate change – 54% HTAD 

5. Provincial/language rights – 18% HTAD 

Interestingly, women cared more about each of these issues. 

Overall, men seem to be more socially centrist, only polling at an average 0.33 points more for progressive social issues than they did for conservative social issues. Women, on the other hand, poll as being much more left wing, with a difference of 2.83 between the average importance attributed to progressive social issues and conservative social issues. Outside of the social issues, men care more about affordability, housing, the economy, immigration, tax policy, foreign policy, and military spending, but the difference between men and women for these issues were all below average (0.79), except for military spending. Women care more about healthcare, climate change, poverty and social inequality, provincial/language rights, indigenous issues, and education.  

In conclusion, I hope you all enjoyed this survey as much as I enjoyed chasing strangers down to get them to participate in it. Thank you to all of those who did, and if people like this kind of thing than maybe it can become something that happens every few years to see where StFX stands politically in the future.  

The Plans for Progress from our New Union President and VP Academic

On January 29, the StFX Student Union’s 2025 general election results were made official. The students have decided, voting in Jacob Cruchet as the Student Union president and Alessandro D’Aquino the VP Academic. It’s with great enthusiasm that we get to meet the fine people leading our students for the next calendar year, hear their experiences, and see their vision.

Support for students was a massive part of the new VP Academic’s platform while campaigning. D’Aquino not only emphasized the importance of this support while running for the position but has also embodied that belief during his time here at StFX. The student experience is not only one of learning but also of molding ourselves into the best version possible to thrive in later careers. D’Aquino’s expressed commitment towards enhancing the student experience at StFX ensures this experience for all students. Communication between faculty and students is key in our ability to receive the best experience we can; D’Aquino believes the same and he is committed to improving this communication.

D’Aquino’s resume is extremely telling for someone who has only spent two years at StFX. He has been a community Advisor, a founder of both Open Kitchen and the Water Polo Society, the Director of Campus Engagement for the Schwartz Business Society, and has membership in many other societies. This is a resume that tells students we will have someone already deeply engaged in student affairs and is committed to further engagement in student life. D’Aquino’s vision of a more inclusive environment that promotes peer tutoring and affordable educational resources will be to the benefit of many students at StFX.

Commitment to affordability is not only found with our new VP Academic, but also with our new President. Jacob Cruchet understands that with rising prices, increased tariff related costs, and the massive investment involved with going to university, students deserve a break. One of Cruchet’s main concerns is the cost of student housing. To rectify these issues, Cruchet plans to partner with Antigonish Affordable Housing on behalf of StFX students. He hopes that with their assistance, students will have to worry less about housing fees and availability in the coming years. Affordability is not the only platform Cruchet ran on, however. Accountability within Student Union governance was a major portion of Cruchet’s election campaign. Cruchet’s mission is to make the usage of student fees as transparent as possible. In the wake of last year’s referendum on the raising of student fees, this move seems particularly relevant.

Strong leadership and measurable progress are essential for a well-run student government. Both Jacob Cruchet and Alessandro D’Aquino have outlined their plans to make this progress, but only time can tell of their success.

Breaking Free from the Scroll: Time to Choose You

How often have you heard “Put your phone down”, or “Stop scrolling”? We Gen Zers, the technology generation, have had to defend our capability to use phones and social media responsibly for as long as we can remember. Those who struggle to use Siri or Alexa or emoji text have consistently preached about its dangers and ill effects. Seems ironic. And yet, we are coming to understand that there is a valid warning. The correlation between excess use and its adverse effect on our mental health, our sleep, and our ability to let our mind be still is becoming better understood. But when did you ever believe something, you haven’t experienced yourself? With recent events and discussions in the United States and the threat of a ban on TikTok, it got me thinking. What would happen if students stopped using these 15-second scrolling apps? Would our mental health improve? Would we die of boredom in the 10 seconds between conversations? What else would happen…better and worse?

I, like many of my friends here at StFX, use TikTok or Instagram reels often, as a sort of zone-out time, a time to disassociate, or to even relax before bed. Now, as many of us are well aware, a quick break to check can sometimes turn into a 2-hour ‘doomscroll’. But how does this intake of passive information and media really affect a person? Personally, I had no honest clue of the impact beyond the time that my setting app told me I was spending on the scroll. (And that was a surprise!) Apparently, I spend about four hours a day on social media, and about one of those four hours on TikTok. So, I decided to run a self-study. I was inspired by one of my friends, Parker (a first-year student here at StFX), who had deleted Instagram off her phone, simply because she recognized the excessive time she was devoting to the app.

Day One: I deleted TikTok. Gone was the constant influx of videos, the shared videos from friends and the ever-changing trends. I’ll admit, the second I deleted it, I fully regretted it. But how could I be sure there were benefits to living off TikTok if I hadn’t tried it? It was one small thing - surely, I could survive. After living TikTok-FREE for two weeks, here are the rewards that filled the scroll space:

1. Procrastination: Oh, I still procrastinate! But did you know that here at StFX, the resources are abundant in helping students to tackle this issue? We all have received the emails from Student Services. Flourish@X is a proactive mental health program and only one of many wellness resources that the school offers out of Bloomfield to help you manage time and pressure as part of your academic and personal life. I was aware I regularly faced the consequences of putting off my work but did taking a small break from scrolling really make a difference? Wouldn’t I find another task to procrastinate further? Or, would the absence of the online distraction help solve the issue? Maybe not a surprise, both situations applied. My procrastination was still there, but with less force. My unconscious use of time scrolling for hours morphed away from my phone, I found myself looking to the people around me. My friends and the activities offered weekly at Bloomfield and around campus were now more attractive. I admit, I still sit down for a nightly show, but there is one definite change. I am now consciously aware of my time. My time is my own and not lost to the repeated swipe of my finger.

2. Sleep: It was expected, yet far more noticeable than I could have dreamt (pun intended). There was a marked change in the quality of my sleep. One of the most important aspects of our health and well-being, especially for students whose brains are still developing, is our rest. Without access to my nightly routine of picking up my phone before sleep, and flipping till my eyes began to shut, I found myself simply going to bed. The best part? I didn’t spend an extra hour looking at the ceiling before finally falling into a light slumber. I realized that this routine was not healthy. Like you, I was aware of the effect blue light has on our brains. But that understanding alone was not enough for me to put an end to it. After asking around to classmates and friends, similar habits were common. For the majority of students, the last thing they look at before going to bed is their phone. Not a book, or a craft, but their device. When we understand the effect our sleep has on the quality of our days, our ability to learn, and to create, it’s a wonder that we, as students, do not try to give ourselves a break from the blue light.

After about two weeks, and the passing news of TikTok’s ban, and un-ban, I realized that it really isn’t a necessity in my life. Those hours spent TikToking were not defining moments of my day. Instead, the moments spent staying on top of my work, going out with my friends, supporting each other in our respective sports, or watching them in a play, ...this is how I wanted to spend my time. Our StFX student lives are constantly filled with activity, and time is scarce. I expect it’s a practice for life and careers ahead. Why wouldn’t we ditch the scrolling and make the most of it?

But why are we choosing to scroll over our time with friends, learning and sleeping? A fuller study is needed here. But if you can’t say no to the scroll, for even a little bit, check out the great resources and people at Bloomfield to gain control of what you want for your time. As a student here at StFX, where we have access to so many resources for success, it can be hard to step out and actually help ourselves. If there was one thing that this little study taught me, it’s that my time is important to me. I will scroll again, I know it, but I want to be my best self at work, with friends, family and fun. Practice what you want. If you want more health and wellness in your life, take a little more time for yourself. Find out what awesome things might fill the space. You deserve it.

Why Every Student Should Try Open Swim

Having been a lifeguard for most of the summers of my life, I have grown familiar with the regular happenings at a pool. One thing that’s common at almost every pool is open swim. I was surprised when one of my housemates told me they had never heard of open swim and didn’t know what it was. For anyone else who might’ve seen it listed on the pool schedule but isn’t sure what it means, let me explain. Open swim, unlike lane swimming, does not require a swimmer to stay in their section of the pool swimming laps. During this time, most of the lane dividers are removed, and floaties, toys, and other recreational items are introduced. For that hour, swimmers can float around, play, or just do whatever they feel like in the water. While open swim is often directed towards children and families, I have learned it is a great opportunity for students as well. Even though I’m a strong swimmer, lane swimming makes me nervous. I’m always worried about getting in the way of the more experienced swimmers who take it seriously. On top of that, I don’t have any of my proper swim gear from my lifeguarding days as it’s all back at home. Luckily, neither of these things are an issue during open swim. All you need is a bathing suit, some deck shoes, and a towel and you’re ready to go!

My friends and I attended our first open swim towards the end of exam season last semester. Not only was it a great study break, but I felt much calmer heading back to work. And it wasn’t just a coincidence. Swimming for as little as 20 minutes has been shown to improve mood, sleep, and anxiety. This is something that all students can benefit from, especially during midterms, which can be an incredibly stressful time. Aside from mental benefits, swimming is great exercise; it's good for muscle building and cardiovascular health. Since it’s a full-body workout, you can be sure that your entire body is getting the benefits of the exercise. If you aren’t comfortable going to the gym or are just trying to get into exercising, swimming is a great way to do it. More than its health benefits, one of the best parts of swimming is going to the new sauna to warm up afterwards! I had never used the pool at St. FX prior to this year and I believe I have been missing out.

Open swim takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 7-8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 1-3pm. You can also check out the Alumni Aquatic Centre website for more information regarding aquatics, including aquafit and lane swims.

86 U SPORTS Academic All-Canadians for StFX Athletics

On the morning of January 14th, StFX Athletics hosted its annual celebratory breakfast to honour the numerous student-athletes who received Academic All-Canadian status during the 2023-24 school year. To be named an Academic All-Canadian the individual must have achieved an 80% average or above while consuming a year of U SPORTS eligibility.

This year StFX Athletics honoured a total of 86 Academic All-Canadians, increasing from the previous year’s 82 student-athletes. Of the 86 recognized; forty-three were first-time recipients, sixteen were second-time recipients, thirteen received the honour for the third time, and twelve student-athletes were honoured for their fourth time. Most outstanding, however, were X-Women Soccer players Christina Gentile and Amanda Smith who became five-time USports Academic All-Canadians! X-Women Soccer demonstrated their academic commitment with 73% of their team earning the distinction, the highest of any team in athletics. X-Women Basketball followed in a close second, with 60% of their team named Academic All-Canadians. Leo MacPherson, Athletic Director for StFX Athletics, presented this year’s Athletic Director’s Awards for academic achievement, which are presented each year at the breakfast to the male and female student-athletes who achieve the highest average. This year, the top male academic was presented to Rogan Betts on X-Men Basketball, a third-year BBA student from St. John’s, Newfoundland. The top female academic was presented to Ava Elgood on X-Women Soccer who is from Almonte, Ontario and in her second year of human kinetics.

Being honoured with Academic All-Canadian status is a tribute to the hard work of these athletes day in and day out as they strive to achieve excellence both in competition and in the classroom. First-year education student Kendra McDonell on X-Women rugby states, “I am incredibly proud to have been recognized for this achievement. Student-athletes put in work all year round, as much as we do on the field, it’s just as important to work hard in the classroom”. These athletes will continue their commitment to upholding academic excellence as they finish out the 2024-25 academic year, striving to earn the distinction of Academic All-Canadian once again.

The complete list of 2023-24 StFX Academic All-Canadians can be found at: https://www.goxgo.ca/general/2024-25/releases/20250110mzur6o

I read StFX’s sunshine list so that you don’t have to. Here’s what you might like to know:

Every year, the province releases a “sunshine list” that shines a light on public-sector employees who earn more than $100,000. It’s a chance for taxpayers and students alike to pull back the curtain and see exactly where some of our tuition and public funds are spent. At St.FX, the 2024 figures disclose more than just a few impressive salaries, they invite some questions about the university’s spending priorities at a time when students are already paying some of the highest tuition costs in the country.

Topping this year’s list is President Andy Hakin, who earns $393,785 plus a $14,400 annual car allowance and residency in the Smith House. While I was not able to locate his exact contract, we do know that former President Sean Riley received a $525,000 signing bonus and a $733,000 retirement allowance, suggesting that President Hakin’s total compensation could easily surpass $400,000.

However, solely focusing on the president’s salary would be to miss the forest for the trees. Delving deeper into the 2024 compensation disclosure, which I cross-referenced with the StFX staff directory, revealed that 29 employees earned over $150,000 in non-teaching roles. Even more striking, the vice-presidential team collectively earns $1.2 million, a 268 percent raise since 2012. As a point of comparison, Nova Scotia’s minimum wage in 2012 was $10 per hour. If it, too, had risen by 268 percent, it would be nearly $37 per hour today.

According to a 2021 report from the Association of Nova Scotia University Teachers (ANSUT), StFX administrators’ salaries have risen by 108 percent since 2012, while faculty compensation has gone up by 16.5 percent over the same period, even though more students are enrolling. Put plainly, there are more students paying higher fees, yet professors and lecturers are not seeing corresponding salary growth. Out of the roughly 265 professors on campus, I identified 45 who earned more than $150,000 and many of whom have spent at least a decade teaching at StFX. While professor’s salaries are by no means meager, this does not change the fact that faculty compensation has not kept pace with their administrative colleagues.

None of this is to suggest that administrators are not essential. They secure research grants and funding for our school, among many other behind-the-scenes responsibilities that we, as students, definitely take for granted. Many students are able to attend StFX with relief from scholarships and bursaries, and for this, we have our administration to thank. Still, when one group’s salaries stagger over those of the educators who define the classroom experience, it’s only fair to question whether the institution’s financial priorities align with its academic mission.

Furthermore, tuition, residence fees, and miscellaneous charges have been creeping higher, and StFX has become one of the country’s most expensive undergraduate options, leaving many students and their families on the brink of affordability. If a sizable chunk of our tuition is being funneled into administrative salaries, it’s no wonder the cost feels prohibitive.

Some argue that we are witnessing the “corporatization” of universities, where a bloating administration is heavily paid while campuses begin to transform into businesses. What I will say, is that professors are what make StFX special. It is becoming exceedingly rare to find a school quite like ours, where professors learn your name and seem passionate about educating and mentoring students. 

If StFX is succumbing to a broader trend in academia where the managerial class grows increasingly well-compensated at the expense of professors and students, it might be time to rethink whether we’re squandering what draws students to the gates of StFX.

The Rocky Twenties: StFX Professors Share How They Navigated Their Fears for The Future

On a chilly Saturday evening I lay in my mother’s bed, surrounded by sleeping cats and a pile of tissues, crying about my future. When I turned twenty, it seemed like everything I thought I knew about myself, my goals and what I wanted to do with my life, had simply vanished. My mother listened as I poured out my worries with my tears. How am I supposed to take steps towards my future when I haven’t got the faintest clue what I want it to look like? How do I navigate these feelings of being lost? Everyone tells you your twenties are some of the best but most challenging years of your life, and that these are the years to discover who you are. But how do I deal with the immense fear?

Many other students in their twenties feel this fear. As a child, we are taught to dream about our adult life and “what we want to be when we grow up”. Exploring the possibilities for our future and changing our minds was normal and expected of us. Yet, after post-secondary education, the pressure to find a good job, settle down, and begin a new chapter weighs heavily on many graduates. The imagination and the search for self we’ve nurtured since childhood are pushed aside to make room for one’s career trajectory.

This pressure can often make students feel isolated from their peers, especially when some are dragging their feet toward their future while others are taking it in stride. Yet StFX’s own professors have experienced these same rocky years, some in rather unconventional ways. “When I started university, I thought I wanted to be a physiotherapist,” confesses Angie Kolen, Professor of Human Kinetics. “I was interviewed [for physiotherapy school] and didn’t get in.” Then, she discovered physical education (the equivalent of StFX’s Human Kinetics) and loved it. “But I did not really know what I was going to do.” The fourth year came around, and nothing had changed. “I discovered I was pregnant in the final term of my fourth year. Here is where my career takes an interesting twist,” Professor Kolen recounts. She was asked to teach a university class as a sessional instructor for students wanting to teach physical education to elementary school children. “I dabbled in that for four years before going back to school. Four years mature, two babies later, I was twenty-five years old when I went back to school, and I loved it. It wasn’t until my master’s degree that I realized I wanted to be a professor”.

For Assistant Professor of Management Mark MacIsaac, there was no hard plan after graduation. “I had a general sense of what I wanted to do, and even that wasn’t very well formed,” Professor MacIsaac recalls. “I went into business because I thought I wanted to work in business, and that was only due to what I saw growing up – my father, putting on a suit, going into downtown Halifax, into an office building and working”. When graduation rolled around, he had yet to develop a specific plan. “I wasn’t really intentional or deliberate about what my career would be. By the time I got to graduation, it was kind of scary. Because I was uncertain, one of my professors recommended I go do my masters in England, which I did.” This led to the beginning of a career in business. Yet Professor MacIsaac learned that his expectations outgrew his reality. “It wasn’t really right for me. It was only when I started to teach at part-time teaching gigs that I realized, wow, this is something I really enjoy”.

“I didn’t graduate high school,” says Associate Professor of History Chris Frazer. “I had a very different experience; I didn’t go to university until I was 30.” Professor Frazer spent his twenties working, traveling, and going to community college with the hopes of transferring to a university. He also met his partner, and they had a child together. “When I started university, I was a dad, working and being a full-time student. I didn’t get my university degree until after having a child”. Professor Frazer's twenties coincided with a tumultuous state of the world; the imminent threat of nuclear warfare and the height of the AIDS crisis were events that majorly shaped his worldview and political organizing. Amidst this crisis was an extremely hostile climate towards the LGBTQ+ community. “I had to watch many friends die of AIDS. That left me wondering, am I ever going to be able to grow up and be myself completely?”

Each of these professors had to navigate many fears during this period of their lives. “I wondered, is it me? Am I never going to get a job?” recounts Professor MacIsaac. Coming out of a master’s program in a time of recession added another layer of difficulty. “It took probably 6-8 months before I landed what I characterized as a ‘“real job,” and that was uncomfortable.” But he kept trying, and, in the end, it worked out.

For Professor Kolen, her twenties were vastly different than many of her peers. “My twenties were not like my friends’ twenties: I was a young mom, fraught with a lot of self-esteem issues,” she remembers. She experienced many doubts about being good enough during her days as a sessional instructor. “I often wondered, was I going to amount to anything? I think being a mom is so important, but sometimes it felt like it wasn’t enough. Was my life going to be worthwhile?” When she went back to school, however, she found it an amazingly challenging experience and built her confidence back.

It’s easy to forget our professors were in their early twenties at one point, and they have learned incredibly important life lessons. For Professor Frazer, the most important thing he wishes to impart to his students is the importance of exploration. “Have experiences, go out and learn about the world,” he says. “I’m not unhappy with how late I made it to university. There is nothing wrong with taking your time, and there is no actual formula. It’s about discovering who you are, what you want, and finding like-minded people.” Professor MacIsaac reiterates this statement. “Uncertainty is a part of life. There’s a certain component of uncertainty that we all need to get comfortable with.” He highlights the importance of trust. “Trust the process. Don’t think that you need to have it all planned out. Things tend to make sense much more retrospectively than they do prospectively.” For Professor Kolen, she wants her students to take chances. “Don’t rush into another program just because you don’t know what to do other than school. Take a step back, and if you can, travel. Be brave and experience life and learn more about yourself”.

The twenties can be a time of fear, doubt, and many worries. Yet, they can also be a time for exploration and provide opportunities one can only dream of. Many of the successful adults around us have had to navigate their way through these same suffocating feelings. But what they all have in common is that they took risks and trusted that it would all work out. Like Professor Kolen says: “Dare to go through a door or window that you’re not sure is the right opportunity for you”.

Because at the end of the day, you have to try something to know if it’s right for you, even if it scares you. You can be scared and try anyways.

Is StFX respecting its architectural heritage?

The StFX campus is beautiful. Its architecture is cohesive and inspiring. It even makes you wonder how something so great could be built in such a small town. Its a testament to the passion and dedication of those who came before us, whether they be former StFX staff, builders, stonemasons, or students. Walking around campus, the love and craftsmanship that was put into most of the buildings is apparent. Buildings like Morrison Hall, Gilmora Hall, Xavier Hall, Schwartz School of Business, the Coady Institute and gardens, etc., weren’t built so meticulously and so intentionally because it was the cheapest way to build them, but because of how much beauty was valued by those who made and used them. They weren’t made by people trying to pump something out as cheaply or quickly as possible, they were made by people who had a love for the people that would come after them, us.

The picturesque feel of the campus comes down to building according to the Italianate and Neoclassical traditions. The Italianate style, best demonstrated in Xavier Hall, is described by the American National Park Service as having “low, overhanging roof(s) with decorative eave brackets...windows accentuated with thick, decorative hoods and the front entrances often highlighted with a tower, a cupola or a projecting porch.” The Neoclassical style is characterised by following the British Georgian tradition, which incorporates “symmetry, graceful proportions, clean lines, and the use of exposed brick” while also including features like classically detailed pediments and pillars. Most buildings around campus are a mix of the two, and I encourage readers to look up images of these terms to get a better appreciation of their meaning. To simplify it pretty heavily, red bricks = Georgian/Italianate, and pillars = Neoclassical. These styles make up the classic, beautiful university aesthetic that we know and love here at StFX.

With the addition of Mulroney Hall, however, it feels like StFX took a big step in the wrong direction. It’s almost like it’s trying to blend in with the rest of the buildings on campus, but on closer inspection lacks any kind of soul or artistry. The huge square pillars are clearly trying to ape those found somewhere like the Keating Centre, Governor’s Hall, or Coady, but look more like something you’d build on your first night on a new Minecraft survival world. They’re just so ugly. When it comes to the outside, there is no level of detail that even comes close to some of the great buildings on campus. It’s plain all the way around, like no effort or thought whatsoever went into it besides the desire to keep the budget low. Compare the outside walls of Mulroney Hall with the outside walls of a similarly sized building in the Keating Centre. The Keating Centre isn’t even that crazy, but there was clearly significant thought that went into adding detail and character to the exterior. On top of this, Mulroney is literally just 2 big squares. A baby could come up with that, in fact, when I was a baby playing with blocks on the floor, I probably did come up with that exact design! Put a big square next to a smaller rectangle and you’re qualified to design a building for StFX.

The worst and most soul crushing part of Mulroney is the interior, and there’s nowhere on campus so sterile and characterless. Sitting in Mulroney, you could be anywhere in the world. Once you get past the novelty of “Wow, this building is pretty big” you realize that there is almost no difference between a classroom in Mulroney and a room in a stereotypical TV asylum, nothing but bleached white walls. This is a building that stands in total opposition to the sentiment of love for future generations and passion to do something well that went into so many other buildings on campus. There are some buildings on campus that are run down, sure, even if they were originally very inspired. There are also other cheap and ugly buildings on campus that were never inspired, like Bloomfield, Annex, Nicholson Tower, and MSB (sorry bears), but none of those are flagship buildings for the school, as big of an undertaking, or as important as Mulroney Hall.

This article may look like it’s coming out of nowhere since it’s been five years since Mulroney was completed. However, in the wake of construction beginning on the new Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Hall, I think it’s worthwhile to start a conversation about what we really want this campus to look like. How much can we chip away at the elegance and charm of our campus for cynical financial reasons before it stops being one of the most picturesque campuses in Canada? I know this seems harsh, but it’s coming from a place of love for the passion that those in the past had for creating something uplifting for us to enjoy, and I don’t want the corporate beast of the StFX administration to take that away from the experience those who will come after us.

Oliver Smith: A Legacy to Remember

On November 9th, X-Men hockey and the community of Antigonish gathered at the Charles V. Keating Centre arena for the fifth annual Oliver Smith Memorial Hockey Game, in support of Ewing’s sarcoma. 

In February of 2017, Oliver Smith, a grade six student at St. Andrew Junior School and proud member of the Antigonish Bulldogs, was diagnosed with stage four Ewing’s sarcoma. Ewing’s is an aggressive form of cancer affecting bone and soft tissue that is most often developed in those between the ages of 10 and 20. Oliver was an endeared member of not only the Antigonish community but also StFX Athletics, playing an integral role in the X-Men hockey legacy of 2019. 

Oliver’s father, Bryan Smith, speaks to Oliver’s connection with StFX Athletics stating, “Oliver read the game speeches for the X-Men hockey team in 2019, the year that he passed away”. Smith elaborated, “Oliver, the first game of the playoffs, went to give them an OllieBot to kind of wish them well and they asked him to read the lineup. They won that game and then asked him to come back every other game and they kept winning—it got them to nationals and Oliver kept getting sicker and sicker”. By the time the X-Men reached the end of playoffs, Oliver had become a part of the team, but it didn’t end there, “my wife flew [Oliver] out to Lethbridge, and he showed up to nationals with them, surprising the team. He ended up doing speeches at those games, he was on SportsNet—they came into the dressing rooms and did it. They lost the semi-final game and then they played for bronze the next day’’. The X-men ended up winning the bronze medal in the final season which Oliver would be with us to witness. 

The OllieBot campaign was started in 2017 by Oliver and his father Bryan, who recounts the project originating while filling the time Oliver would have otherwise occupied with sport. After receiving positive interest and support from family friends, Smith says they thought ‘‘Hey, we could do this as a fundraiser and give back to Ewing’s’’. Smith remarks on the initial success of the

OllieBot campaign as “ridiculous”, “I think from [November 2017] until the day before Christmas we made 273 … it was a steady stream of people coming to the house, handing money”. Since November of 2017 when it all started, the family has produced and distributed over 6,000 OllieBots. 

Since 2019, in partnership with StFX Athletics and X-Men hockey, the Smith family has held an annual Oliver Smith Memorial hockey game, branded with the motto ‘Be the Hardest Worker’. ‘Be the Hardest Worker’ was something reinforced to Oliver and his siblings from a young age by parents Shauna and Bryan and was carried across all aspects of their lives. Bryan emphasized how well Oliver was able to translate what it meant to work hard in school and hockey, and then apply it to the hardships of his treatment.

The memorial game originally started as a business project for X-Women hockey player Santana Gravelle, with the first game in 2019, raising $8,000. The campaign was then handed over to the Smith family and has since raised over $100,000 for the Ewing’s Cancer Foundation of Canada Endowment Fund at the Toronto Sick Kids Hospital, as well as supporting families in the community whose children are battling cancer. 

The Back-Alley Revisited: On Antigonish’s Abortion Access

Donald J. Trump, president-elect of the United States of America has stated that he is proud to have overturned Roe V. Wade and suggests that there should be some kind of punishment for abortion. Due to this, as well as his flawed character traits and policies I, much like many of you, woke up on November 6th, 2024, to the results of the election and reacted with sadness and anger.

As U.S and Canadian politics are certainly entangled, it is worth noting that we are not our neighbours. However, the re-elect of Trump made me start to question abortion access in our very own town. Upon research, I was disheartened by the availability of these reproductive rights here in Antigonish.

Many STFX students are familiar with St. Martha’s Hospital, the main healthcare facility serving the area. Astonishingly, according to a 2020 article by The Walrus, the hospital does not provide abortions, nor will it offer referrals to physicians who do.

Moreover, Antigonish is a small community, which is one of my favourite things about living here. Whether it be studying in the library or on a night out, I almost always run into a friend. However, this only adds to the increasingly apparent abortion taboo in a predominantly Catholic area. Consider seeking an abortion in the hospital, only to see the same doctor who turned you away the next day in town.

I looked elsewhere after discovering St. Martha’s did not provide abortion services. The STFX health and counselling centre offers many great resources for students. They provide IUD insertions, pregnancy and STI testing as well as emergency contraception. However, there is no mention of abortions being offered on the website. Likewise, The Antigonish Women's Centre, while they do great work for the community, do not provide abortions, as said by a member of their team.

According to the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada, the closest place that performs abortions is the ROSE clinic in Halifax, a five-hour round trip away. This imposes many financial and social constraints on an already controversial medical procedure.

Additionally, considering that sexual violence is rampant on university campuses with 1 in 10 women having been assaulted at a post-secondary institution in Canada since 2019 5; it is even more imperative that abortions be made more accessible in our university town.

If we want to ensure back-alley abortions are never revisited, Antigonish needs to do better.

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Rose Clinic Self-Referral Form:

https://forms-beta.novascotia.ca/NewSubmission/2500e7a6-0218-46e3-800e-f47f447e5147

Igniting Innovation: Impact X Brings Entrepreneurship to Life at St.FX

Impact X is an event you won’t want to miss. The idea for an innovative entrepreneurship event became a reality in April 2023, founded by a dynamic group of individuals, including Alex Doward, Dr. Greg Hadley, Alexis MacDonald, Paula Brophy, Dr. Abede Mack and Dr. Neil Maltby, alongside three students—Erica Cameron, Isaac Herlihy, and Inka Mittler. Erica Cameron shared her thoughts on the upcoming event, saying, “It’s an opportunity for students to grow and be involved in St.FX’s entrepreneurship program.”

Over the last few years, St.FX has been working to expand its entrepreneurial ecosystem, achieving notable success with students going to external pitch competitions and events. However, Erica explained that the university recognized a gap: a lack of local opportunities for students to showcase their ideas and learn from each other. Impact X fills that void, offering an engaging space for students to learn, connect, and pitch ideas. The event is set to become a milestone for St.FX’s entrepreneurship program, fostering creativity and collaboration among students, professors, and the community.

The weekend-long event kicks off on Friday, November 22, with an evening set to inspire the community and prepare participants. The weekend will begin with a keynote address by Tareq Hadhad, the CEO and founder of Peace by Chocolate, whose story of resilience and success as a refugee is bound to leave a lasting impression. Following Tareq’s address, attendees will participate in elevator pitch workshops and introduction meetings in preparation for Saturday’s main pitch event. Even if you are not pitching at the competition, Friday evening is open to the entire community, making it a perfect opportunity to be part of the innovative and inspiring event.

Saturday’s event features roundtable workshops and other incredible speakers, such as Mallory Yawnghwe, the Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Indigenous Box Inc. The weekend will finish with the main pitch event, where students will compete for a share of $10,000 in prizes. The highly anticipated competition has attracted participants from universities across the Maritimes and even high school students from Toronto. With a diverse mix of participants, the event is not just a competition but also a learning and networking opportunity.

Impact X is not only designed for students who want to pitch business ideas but also for those curious about entrepreneurship and the business world. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or someone looking to learn more about the creative process behind start-up companies, there is something for everyone at Impact X. Looking ahead, Erica expressed her hopes for the conference, stating, “I hope that the conference makes an impact on students and simply, it’s also just a cool event that I hope students can get excited for each year.” As a new tradition for the Business program at St.FX, Impact X is set to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit in students and establish itself as a fundamental pillar in the university’s entrepreneurship program.

Healthy Habits for Exam Time

As November brings cooler weather, the dreaded cold and flu season is bound to follow closely behind. And with exam season just around the corner, students seek to avoid a cough, runny nose, or worse, limiting their performance on finals. But what is it about the colder weather that makes us so susceptible to sickness? We’ve all heard that drying our hair before going outside and drinking orange juice can help prevent us from getting a cold, but do those things actually help? I have compiled some helpful tips and information on how to avoid getting sick ahead of exams and to keep ourselves healthy for the holiday season.

One of the more interesting contributing factors to our susceptibility to illness during the winter months is a lack of vitamin D. With daylight savings time and the sun sitting lower in the sky, our bodies don’t receive nearly as much vitamin D as during the summer months. Several studies conducted by the Department of Emergency Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital have identified a positive relationship between vitamin D deficiency and acute upper respiratory illness. Essentially, low levels of vitamin D make an individual more susceptible to cold and flu symptoms. A paper written by Dr. Cynthia Aranow also highlights the role of vitamin D in the immune system. Immune cells have vitamin D receptors, which means they can regulate the immune response to where it is needed in the body. A lack of vitamin D reduces the function of these receptors, making the body more susceptible to infection. So, by ensuring you’re getting enough vitamin D through supplements or even sunshine tea, you can prevent yourself from getting sick.

Another important factor that helps to support the immune system is getting enough sleep. Dr. Yvonne Chu, a sleep medicine specialist, emphasized the relationship between poor sleep and susceptibility to illness. “Studies have shown,” says Dr. Chu, “that those who chronically get less than seven hours of sleep a night are three times as likely to develop the common cold compared to those who routinely get eight hours or more of sleep.” The events of November and December, including Catalina Wine Night and X-Ring, on top of exams, mean people are staying up late and getting up early to study (or at least, intend to). While social life and academic achievement are important, it is important not to neglect sleep to make up for lost time. Put down your phone and get that extra half hour of sleep at bedtime, or consider leaving Wing Night before the last call - your immune system will thank you for it!

Lastly, while going outside with wet hair or in shorts won’t specifically get you sick, being cold certainly doesn’t help. A study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology showed that the body’s immune response in the nose is weakened in lower temperatures. When the internal temperature of the nose drops by just a few degrees, the release of antiviral particles called EVs decreases, making it easier for viruses to infect the body’s cells. By keeping the body and the face warm, you help maintain a strong immune response. That’s why, instead of wearing a skirt to the bar, think about putting on a pair of sweatpants until you arrive or wear a scarf on your way to class. By staying warm, you help ensure that your body functions optimally, boosting its ability to fight off viruses and stay healthy.

There are several other important steps you can take to prevent illness, like staying hydrated, eating well, and exercising regularly. These tips won’t definitely prevent you from getting a cold, but by properly taking care of yourself, you’re giving your body the best possible chance to defend itself from viruses and bacterial infections. Remember to prioritize your health as the semester comes to an end for your benefit and the benefit of those around you.

Serving Inclusivity: Volleyball Society Welcomes All

Three days a week, the gym doors are open at Saputo Centre for any to enter and play a sport that welcomes all: Volleyball. There are many sport societies here at X, ranging from the Rowing Society to the Equestrian Society, but the Volleyball Society sets itself apart. There are no restrictions! You don’t have to play competitively or need to sign up. Anyone can play. No matter your level, skill, or stature, you are welcome on the court.

At StFX, sports are everywhere. We have varsity teams, X-Rec programs, and pick-up sports like flag football among students in the parking lot or on the lawn. But not everyone can afford to pay a membership, and some may not want the commitment required to join a team. The Volleyball Society is the perfect balance, a drop-in system with no payment needed. Going alone can be hard, though, and most of the time, finding friends who have like-minded interests is no easy task. From the very first day, the Society has created a welcoming atmosphere. Each person there wants to play, and while it is competitive, the score isn’t kept. It’s about working together and being a team. A positive attitude is the only thing you need to bring. The Society members set up the courts, balls and nets provided. All the members help in creating this environment: “It’s super easy to pop in… All skill levels welcome!” says President Piper Bullivant, who can be found on the court during the week. All one has to do is show up and play!

Often, classes, studying, and exams get in the way of playing sports. But the Volleyball Society plays from 9:30-11:30 pm on Mondays and Tuesdays. It’s the perfect end to your workday, allowing for the release of some endorphins before going to sleep. On Sundays, from 1-3 pm, there is another set for weekend fun, a great reason to get out of bed and get the blood flowing before starting the week. It’s not a commitment, and it’s free: the perfect combo for any student.

But the real reason that the Society is special is that it’s a social sport and movement for everyone. There are players who have played through high school but stopped when they came to university. There are others, like myself, who have never received a ball in their entire life. The beauty of it all? It doesn’t matter. The Society divides the teams by numbering you off, which allows a fair shot for everyone. No one has more time than another, and you play all positions. One regular Eli Lokonyen, when asked about the society, said, “It helps me elevate my skills, and from the beginning till now, I’ve significantly improved.” He a first year and has made friends through the Society as well. Volleyball is one of those sports in which anyone can participate, and the Society has made sure that this sport is accessible to everyone.

University is the perfect time to try new things, and best of all a sport. Whether it’s totally new or you just want to be back on the court again, there is a place for you. The Volleyball Society has created an inclusive environment for everyone and anyone to play. Moving to get your blood flowing and playing sports takes real motivation and determination, especially as the winter approaches. With student-lead opportunities like the Volleyball Society offers, there’s a healthy environment ready and waiting for students to work their bodies and their brains. The Volleyball Society, with its open doors at the Saputo Centre, serves up exactly what it means to be part of the student body at X.

U.S Election Watch Party at Candid

On Tuesday November 5, the StFX Political Science Society, Xaverian Progressive Conservatives, Young Liberals and the History Society organized a watch party for the U.S election at Candid Brewery. By the time it ended at midnight, it appeared likely to everyone that Donald Trump would secure enough votes in the electoral college to become president of the United States for the second time. Trump’s second term is expected to be one that continues to roll back reproductive and other human rights, weaponize government institutions, and inflame right-wring nationalism.

“The results of this election are extremely disheartening”, says Sophia Kydd, a third-year Honours Psychology student. “It solidifies how prevalent racism and misogyny are in our society, as two qualified, accomplished women, one being of colour, have now lost to Donald Trump. Trump takes responsibility for the overturn of Roe V. Wade, and while reproductive rights are determined at the state level, him in office greatly influences these laws. As a passionate pro-choice woman myself, your opinions on abortion aside, these extreme abortion bans have already and will kill women concerning sepsis, ectopic pregnancies, (etc.). As the U.S influences the rest of the world, the attack on reproductive rights in America is an attack on these rights everywhere."

Before the results came in, Simon Maltby, an Education student, said he was interested in the US election “because no matter who wins, it’s going to have an impact on us here in Canada. Also, for the U.S., it would be good for public confidence in the government to see a swift and peaceful transition of power.”

Emily Richard, president of the History Society, shared Simon’s belief. “Regardless of the outcome, this election is a major historical event that we need to recognize as we live through it”, she explains, “The only way to enact change for the future is to acknowledge these events and political issues as they occur”.

“I think it’s important for students to come together on issues in order to stay educated on past and recent world events”, says Mya Burke, Young Liberals president. “It’s hard to make sense of who we are and what we value if never given the opportunity to see both sides of the coin. Regardless of who you are, you can take something away from an event like this”.

President of Xaverian Progressive Conservatives Josh Kroker believes it’s important for students to follow politics because “once we stop watching elections and other democratic processes, that’s when democracy dies”

An Instagram Account called sillyneoliberals.69 posted a critique last week criticizing the watch party. Sillyneoliberals.69 posts rant-style articles, often critiquing “centrist” culture at StFX. The Xaverian Weekly has twice been targeted for articles about the Gender-Neutral washrooms at the Inn and controversial philosophy professor Dr. Mark Mercer. The account also posts pictures of Brian Mulroney with googly-eyes on his face.

The post is called “As the World Watches the American Elections in Horror, StFX Polisci Student & Their Weird-Ass Political Party Societies Wanna Share a Beer Over it at a LIVE Watch Party... smfh”. The account’s argument centers on the ethical problems posed by treating very real dangers to the lives of marginalized people too conceptually; “often like thought experiments or hypotheticals”.

This post lists some of the election issues this cycle, “the right to bodily autonomy, access to healthcare, access to gender-affirming care, policies around gun violence, immigration laws, education laws about access to knowledge about sexual diversity and the history of the oppression of Black Americans, the legitimization of police brutality against racialized people, climate policy, the degree and strategy of America’s continued support for the active genocide against the Palestinian people...”. The account argues that “so much is at stake here and as the world watches in horror, these BUFFOONS... want to organize a LIVE WATCH PARTY to jerk each other off and say ‘OMG we are SO politically engaged’” .

The post concludes with, “The only watch party of American politicians fucking the world up I am interested in attending is one in which we all hold each other and cry for the state of global politics today... You are not inviting politicians and organizing events like this because you care about politics or the state of the world”.

This is Your Sign to Sign Up for One of StFX's Free Fitness Classes

St.FX has a range of amazing fitness classes, and it took me until my fourth year to finally take advantage of them. At home in Toronto, I frequently attend fitness, wellness, and spin classes, but I found at school, I could never make the time. Being in my last year at university, I feel as though I'm making more of an effort to do the things I might have missed so far. So, if there is one piece of advice I hope you will take from this, it’s to make the most of your time at St. FX and take advantage of services you’re already paying for. Our annual tuition includes a fee that covers the cost of fitness classes, and with equipment provided, all you have to do is show up.

While school, my extracurriculars, and social life are priorities, I have learned I cannot neglect my health in the process. This year, I’ve made staying active and prioritizing fitness an essential part of my routine. It is from this focus on balance and staying active that I have started attending yoga classes. Despite regularly attending fitness classes back home, yoga has always been something I’ve tried a few times but never fully gotten into. I’ve attended a class here and there, but I haven’t committed to making it a regular part of my routine. With everything happening in my life, I find it challenging to maintain the clear mind that is often emphasized in yoga classes; however, from my experiences this semester, I have noticed big changes already.

Starting in September, my sister, who is a regular attendee, encouraged me to go to a Hatha Yoga class with her. Hatha yoga is always on Tuesday nights at 7:15, making it the perfect opportunity to reset after the weekend and prepare to attack the week. In my first few classes, I found keeping up with the instructor difficult. Preventing my mind from wandering back to my day or the things I had to complete was a challenge. Some of the poses are also quite tricky for a beginner, twisting while simultaneously maintaining balance. However, now that I have attended more classes, I am learning to be patient with myself. Focusing on my breathing has allowed me to stay in the moment more successfully, and my balance has begun to improve. My range of motion has also increased, enabling me to tackle more complex poses with greater confidence. I am calmer and more energized, allowing me to get work done more efficiently. I hope to continue attending yoga classes this year if my schedule allows, and I also plan to explore different classes, having enjoyed an early morning spin class in September.

Though yoga might not be for everyone, I encourage those reading to make use of the resources made available through school. With the range of offered classes, it is easy to find something you can enjoy, improving your overall well-being and helping to maintain essential balance.

Freshman Firsts: Figuring out Eating and Exercise

While older siblings and friends are often eager to offer advice, first-year is overwhelming. All of a sudden, every choice and decision is up to us. What we eat, when we go to sleep, and when we study. But for our bodies to keep functioning, we must take care of them. And when most students come from houses where their meals are prepared for them and their sports and sleep are more inflexibly structured, this can be a monumental task.

As freshmen try to find their footing, their health often falls down on the priority list. It’s time to help them take control and build habits that will help them for the rest of their lives. Lizzy Duffy, a BA major, and Ashlyn Wood, a Forensic Psych major, have been living on campus for one month and describe having to navigate lifestyle choices they haven’t faced before, and these are just two instances of what every first-year student is dealing with to some extent.

So much is new in the first year of university. One of the most significant is sudden freedom. Choices abound. You can do whatever you want, whenever you want. Most students lacked this option before, and now presented with the ultimate freedom of choice, they are experiencing consequences from changes to their diet and activity levels. What has the biggest impact, though?

Anyone who’s taken one step into Meal Hall is struck with the realization that you can now eat whatever you want whenever you want! But are students realistically pulling out a Canada Food Guide? Often, students struggle with making uneducated food and drink choices that are not always best for one’s body. For some, the sudden freedom is detrimental, especially when they come from a more restricted food household. As freshman Parker Anstey said, “The way you deal with university food is super dependent on the way you grew up.” Parker found that with a job and making her own money, she was able to learn the ways of making smart food choices while in high school. But when meals are made for you for most of your life, one doesn’t know the dos and don’ts of healthy eating. Freshmen living in dorms are required to have a meal plan. While healthy options are available, many students gravitate towards comfort food, for example, the “always-open" pizza bar. Ashlyn Wood agrees, “The food is always mediocre, so pizza is a usual.” This common habit increases the intake of less-than-balanced meals (more carbs, less veg), which can be a new change for students’ bodies.

You may ask, but can’t first-years supplement their diets with a little “fresh” from off-campus? When it comes to dorm food, it usually isn’t vegetables or fruit. More likely, it's potato chips, ramen, and KD for those industrious enough to boil water. And, if students go off-campus for a midnight snack, their student net worth usually limits them to options consisting of fast food. First-years must work harder than any other age group to control their diets.

To top it off, Freshmen are going through one of the most stressful times in their lives, adapting to entirely new environments, roommates/social groups, and schedules, and without the rigor of past routine and parental guidance. With stress and midterm season imminent, comfort food comes first, and eating clean is the last thing on a freshman’s mind. But Morrison Hall is not just greasy food heaven. One of the highlight features, one that was a part of my acceptance decision, was the open kitchens. They allow students to create whatever they want and give them the resources to do so. One of my friends and I’s favorites is making smoothies and eggs in the morning. Not to mention the infamous salad bar right as you walk in. Stocked with fruits and vegetables and a variety of dressings, there is something for everyone. Don’t want to make it yourself? Every day, there is a different pre-made salad!

There are healthy options, but they require one thing: making an educated choice. Food is one piece of the puzzle. Another is the fact that the human body eats to fuel its movement and metabolic systems. The body is controlled by what it consumes versus how one burns that consumption through movement. Brady Skinner, a first-year in Engineering, stopped playing organized sports when he came to university. With more regular movement and exercise being less common, he feels that he is lacking the exercise that he once survived on. Students have their plate full in their first year (yes, that was a pun). Making friends, figuring out how to study and what works, and discovering who they are leaves little time to get outside for purposeful calorie burn. But here is where the freedom of choice at St.FX comes to the table. St.FX understands the students need movement even if they don’t realize it. Intermural sports organized through the university are a great way to make friends, move your body, burn off anxiety, and have some fun. With a variety of sports and games, it’s an easy way to move your body and get involved. If you are unable to make a commitment to a sign-up sport, some sports societies, like the Volleyball Society here at St.FX, run open courts for all levels a couple of nights a week. These are only a sampling of the plethora of resources available to all students as they balance the elements of their new lives at X.

With freshmen experiencing so many changes in their minds, bodies, and souls, it makes sense that dietary and physical health habits are lowered on the list of priorities, slotting in after friends, academics, and the comforts of pizza and unlimited ice cream. After informally surveying St.FX first-years, I would report that the siren call of comfort food and the relegation of organized sports and movement with the excuse of “if I have the time” are the two crucial factors when it comes to student health. For first-years, the reality of change, academic pressures and social stresses are only the beginning of managing adult life.

It is time to break the cycle here at St.FX, and it starts with reaching out to friends and St.FX resources like the health and wellness center and our brand-new Saputo Centre. It is time to love what you eat, move like you love, and take control of your choices.

“Don’t Ambush Us”: StFX Student-Athletes React to Last Minute Fees

All X-Women & X-Men interviewed in this story spoke on the condition of anonymity.

It was early August when StFX’s student-athletes began trickling in for their pre-season camps. Football, rugby, and soccer were first, followed a few weeks later by cross country, hockey, and basketball. As players began their training, their focus was interrupted by a surprise: an August 13th email saying StFX’s Athletic Department is charging its athletes an extra $250 in fees. 

The email was not met with open arms. Athletes were angry at the lack of notice, close to half of them had already begun training camps and many more were getting settled in town. As a student-athlete myself, it seemed unfair to be asked for money that had never been discussed with us previously, especially as we already pay hundreds of dollars in team fees every year, ranging from $250-$700 depending on the sport. Many other student-athletes shared this sentiment.  

“It was very frustrating”, shared a member of X-Women Hockey. “I felt very confused. My budgeting for the school year is done over the summer, and this extra fee wasn’t accounted for in my planning.” When asked how this extra fee affected them, a student-athlete with X-Women Rugby stated that “with [the rugby] season starting so early this year, that was over three weeks' worth of work gone. It’s another added stressor, another additional cost. Prices for everything are going up. The lateness of this notice was the biggest issue.” This feeling was reciprocated by a member of the X-Men Football team. “Money is tight. $250 is a lot of money. I’m not on a scholarship, and this money ended up coming out of my food budget for the year. We didn’t find out about it until it was too late”. 

In an interview with Krista McKenna, Manager of Varsity Athletics and Communications, we discussed the timeline of the decision for the fee. “The fiscal year at the University ends on March 31st but we start budget planning in October. So [the decision] would have been over the course of last year into the spring,” says McKenna. Yet the letter, dated July 30th, was only emailed to student-athletes on August 13th. McKenna says the delay “might’ve come down to staff vacations... Leo [MacPherson, Director of Athletics and Recreation] drafted the letter and sent it to me through the student portal”.  

If the fee was decided on in the Spring, why was the letter of notification only drafted on July 30th? Not to mention it being tabled for two weeks due to “staff vacations”. StFX student-athletes deserve better from our administration. A member of X-Men Football asks Athletics to “let us know early and clarify on the reasons why this is happening. Don’t ambush us”. One of his teammates reiterates this statement: “I understand that there are expenses that come with a university athletics program. But you need to realize that we are students first, and this is a lot of money. We need ample warning so we can budget beforehand”. A member of X-Women Hockey notes, importantly, that “our athletic and academic scheduling doesn’t allow much time to work in order to make this money up”.  

Expecting student-athletes to hand over a sum of money without proper preparation is simply unfair. It is unacceptable that a decision about our finances, made in the spring, was only communicated towards the end of the summer, leaving most athletes with no opportunity to make up this money.  

In the email, the distribution of funds is described?  as being directed to “Athletic Therapy, Strength & Conditioning, Mental Performance, Sport Nutrition, and Leadership Development”. Many athletes find this list too vague.  “I’m still confused as to where this money is going. This kind of confusion and lack of notice harms our relationship with the Athletic Department. It feels like there’s a gap in communication between athletes who make up the program and the higher ups that run it,” says a member X-Women Soccer. 

McKenna explained the distribution in more detail during our interview: “It’s not an even distribution. It goes towards the costs that are above and beyond operating costs [of these services]. In terms of Sports Performance, there are a lot of equipment and human resources expenses to run that space. In terms of Mental Performance, funding will be used to pay for Performance Consultants that we hire. For Sports Nutrition, it would help to cover the costs of consultants and workshops we host for the teams. Athletic Therapy goes more towards supplies and equipment we need over and above operating costs. Because we’ve elevated them all, we don’t want to have to reduce any services.” While these are all necessary expenses, it is unfortunate that this kind of transparency was not included in the original email. Athletes deserve to know where their money is going and what it will be used for. 

“Wearing the X is an absolute privilege,” says a student-athlete with X-Women Rugby. “But being an athlete, we experience different lows than other students, different pressures. And the financial pressures are weighing heavily on a lot of student-athletes, in a way I’m not sure it always has. More athletes are accessing services such as food banks and financial aid. While I understand that it is a necessity, the more heads-up that can be given, the better”. 

Celebrate the Season: Don’t Miss the Antigonish Fall Fair!

Are you looking for a break from studying or a fun festive outing? On October 26, from 8:30 to 1:00 PM, the Antigonish Farmer’s Market will host the Antigonish Fall Fair. The festive fall event promises fun for all ages, making it the ideal outing for families, students, and community members.

As Halloween is approaching, a highlight of the day will be the costume contest, open to participants of all ages. Whether you want to dress up as your favourite superhero or a spooky ghost, everyone is encouraged to show off their creative costumes. There are two prize categories: Child (0-12) and Teen/Adult (13+), where each winner will receive $20 worth of Market Bucks to spend at the farmer’s market! If you plan to dress up, ensure that there are no masks or weapons and that costumes are not offensive or perpetuate cultural, gender, heritage, or religious stereotypes. As well, the fair will feature a fall-themed photo booth for those who want to capture their costumes or the festive fall atmosphere. Filled with fall decorations, it’s the perfect place to snap a memory with friends or family.

The fair will also host incredible local vendors with plenty of fall goodies for sale. Hot apple cider and homemade pies will be available, just to name a few! For the little ones and those who want to partake, the fair will also offer shell colouring and face painting. With a variety of vendors and activities, the Fall Fair will be sure to put you in the fall spirit.

Lastly, no fair would be complete without music. Local musician Ty Wallace will provide live entertainment, adding to the exciting and festive atmosphere at the fair. Whether you come for the activities, the food, or the entertainment, the Antigonish Fall Fair is sure to offer something for everyone. Mark your calendar for October 26 and visit the Antigonish Fall Fair, you won’t want to miss it!