“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”. 

StFX Silence on Palestine vs Solidarity with Ukraine: Inconsistent or Intentionally Hypocritical

(This article was finished on March 18, 2024)

It's been over 5 months. 163 days.

There is nothing neutral about silence. Silence implies apathy. Apathy is the opposite of care, compassion and community. Something StFX seems to champion so heavily. Something dangles to prospective students as a staple element of the university.

Okay, fine. StFX hasn’t been entirely silent. Oh? You didn’t know? They posted the following text on their Instagram story back in October, which reads: “Recent days have brought unprecedented events in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the outbreak of war over the weekend. The escalating conflict has brought horrifying and shocking attacks on civilians. There is deep concern within our community for those affected by the violence and loss of life. The voice of our community is added to those around the world calling for a peaceful resolution”. Posted for the 24-hour time limit of an Instagram story. Then nothing. Silence. No emails. Nothing.

“Conflict”. “War”. No mention of genocide.

Meanwhile, StFX didn’t hesitate to show its support for Ukraine in 2022 via an email sent out by university president Dr. Andy Hakin, and again in 2023 by university admin. An email sent out nearly a year ago by university admin, under the subject line “We Stand with Ukraine” reads: “The violence Russia has imposed upon the nation of Ukraine has brought immediate devastation to its citizens and threatens the country's sovereignty. As people around the world come together in support of Ukraine, we, too, must demonstrate our support”. It didn't take long either for them to hoist the Ukrainian flag, along which a flag-raising ceremony took place. But now, months into, which is evidently a genocidal campaign, a massacre of innocent civilians, which many of us witness in real time on our mobile devices, merely a peep has been heard from the StFX administration.

It begs the question: Is this silence, aka this stance of silence and so-called ahistorical “neutrality” that the university has decided to take regarding the Palestinian genocide, a mere inconsistency, or is it intentional? I mean, we can’t expect the university to speak up on every international issue, so they might as well stay silent for this one. Right? I assume that is what some of you might be thinking right now. Shame on you. I find it hard to believe that you don’t know what's going on right now. If you don’t, it doesn’t take very long to educate yourselves. Why shouldn’t StFX say something? This is a genocide happening in real-time. It is inescapable. If not the Congo, Yemen, or Sudan, why not Palestine?   

Once it was easy to numb myself to these things. But this time it was different. I found I couldn't numb myself anymore. It stares at me, glares at me, right in the face. I could no longer choose escapism, bound by my privilege. Once religious, I could no longer pray for the pain away when people are murdered by what is quite frankly, a state-run terror regime backed by countries like Canada and the U.S. Yes. Canadian and U.S. arms manufacturers are quite literally what Israel “soldiers” are using to kill innocent civilians. Babies. Children. Mothers. Men. Women. People. “If Jesus were alive, he'd be in the rubble”, I saw on a post. I was awake. Thank God. And I couldn't go back to sleep. If you are a human on this planet, you should care about Palestine. Because it could have been you. You cannot build your holy land on the mass graves of children.

It is not a “war”. It is not a “conflict”. It is a genocide.

The Israeli occupation wants to eradicate the Palestinians residing in Palestine. And they are nearly there. If they won’t get them by bomb, snipers, or by burying them under the rubble, they will get them by forced starvation. The alarm should have gone off months ago. To bear witness and not say a word is appalling. StFX, to only have an Instagram story and nothing else is embarrassing.

It is ethnic cleansing. The naming of Palestinians as “children of darkness” (whereby the Jews are “children of light”) by Israels prime minister and the terming of Palestinians as “human animals” by Israel/Zionist state military forces performing the genocidal and murderous acts against Palestinians confirms this. The complete establishment of an Israeli state implies no room for a sovereign Palestinian one, as comments made by Israel's prime minister Netanyahu indicate. 

It has been reported on in numerous articles that the Israeli occupation is placing Palestinians in a perpetual state of apartheid. Whether or not the state of Israel was created as a “safe place” for Jews, it seems rather a relentless mobilization to eradicate Palestinians and their territory, as many of us are witnessing in real-time. The argument that “Israel has a right to defend itself” has long lost any poignancy, given the mass atrocities that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has inflicted on innocent Palestinians. It is so clearly a genocidal campaign backed by ethnic cleansing.

Since October 7th, over 40,000 Palestinians residing in the Gaza strip have been killed. Over 14,000 of which are children. Over 70,000 civilians were injured. Over 130 journalists were killed. Over 400 schools have been damaged. And the list goes on. The numbers are staggering. And, these aren't just numbers, these are people. Human beings who once had hopes, dreams, entire lives. Once again, StFX, to have said but a peep is pathetic. As a school so keen on land acknowledgements, StFX seems to have little issue letting this be another empty one.

What brings me real hope is that people are still waking up. But, to StFX I say quite frankly: It's getting a bit late. Isn't it?

As a post-secondary institution so focused on “Community”, so much that it is a selling point for many, championed by current and former students, shouldn’t we address more impactfully, as a community, the genocide we are witnessing in real time? Should we not limit ourselves to the campus community, but the global community?

Free Palestine. Ceasefire now.

References:

https://www.businessinsider.com/netanyahu-deleted-children-of-darkness-post-gaza-hospital-attack-2023-10

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/15/which-countries-have-stopped-supplying-arms-to-israel

https://time.com/6334409/is-whats-happening-gaza-genocide-experts/

https://canadiandimension.com/articles/view/direct-action-confronts-canada-israel-arms-trade

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/rethinking-israels-dependence-on-us-arms-amid-change-in-us-public-opinion/ar-BB1jzl0B

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2022/02/israels-system-of-apartheid/

https://www.vox.com/23924319/israel-palestine-apartheid-meaning-history-debate

https://euromedmonitor.org/en/article/6176/Statistics-on-the-Israeli-attack-on-the-Gaza-Strip-%2807-October---23-February-2024%29

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/20/netanyahu-defies-biden-insisting-theres-no-space-for-palestinian-state

Why Does the Student Union Need More Money?

Every year, an almost $200 fee appears on our StFX account balance, and we seem to have no choice but to accept it as a couple of hundred dollars to swallow alongside our tuition payments. However, an upcoming referendum on April 2nd will ask StFX to vote on the question: “Are you in favor of Increasing Students’ Union Fees by 10% per year, every year for the next 5 years?”

This proposed hike seems to have inflamed student frustrations regarding not knowing how their annual fees are spent and why the Students’ Union would supposedly need more money. Ben MacKay, a student at StFX University, is urging his fellow students to "vote no'' on April 2nd. His Instagram account (@stfxfightthehike) has garnered almost 140 followers in support of his cause.

Sophia Fabiano, an advocate for voting "Yes" on April 2nd, has an Instagram presence as well, with almost 60 people following her account @voteyes24. In a recent post, Sophia described how increases in Students’ Union fees will only be raised to $210.41 next year and will continue to be raised in small increments, reaching $308.06 by 2028-29—after almost all current students have already graduated.

In 2022, the Students’ Union collected $669,465 in student fees alone, and in 2023 charged additional renovation fees to support the Bloomfield remodel. If the proposed 10% raise per year goes ahead, in five years, the U will be collecting over 1 million dollars in student fees. That’s a lot of money. According to Sophia’s Instagram page, this hike is necessary to increase salaries and continue hosting events. But while some might perceive these increments to be small and manageable, the U is asking students to pay a compounding 50% hike in student fees over the next 5 years.

When you read the Student Union’s annual budget report, it is not obvious why they need more money. According to the 2022 Budget, Graduation, X-Ring, O-Week, and Frost Week all together made nearly $29,000 in profit. The Golden X Inn alone made $87,775 in profit in 2023. Even when less lucrative events, like society events, are factored into the balance sheet, the U was only $924 short of breaking even. If the Students’ Union is spending $200,000 on events, it should be entirely possible to cover the $900 deficit from within the budget without imposing additional costs on students. This is particularly important given the already significant expenses students incur for events like X-Ring. For example, this year's X-Ring Super Sub tickets cost students $42.25 per ticket. Considering that most university-hosted events generate profits, it seems reasonable to explore alternative solutions rather than passing the expense onto students.

Frankly, when @voteyes24 depicts the U’s capacity to “continue to host multiple fun events” as if it relied on the referendum passing, it makes no sense. The majority of U-hosted events help fund the U, and only a small minority don’t turn a profit.

Julianna Drake, the Students’ Union VP of Finance, offers some clarity on her Instagram page. In a post to her story, she writes that “if we paid everyone a minimum wage with our current budget, many valuable services would have to get cut to compensate.” When the U says they need more money to continue funding events, they’ll need more money to fund events—once they’ve begun paying their employees higher salaries.

But Drake brings up a fair point: Working for the Students’ Union doesn’t guarantee minimum wage. Many employees, including ourselves, are paid with an honorarium which does not compensate people for the hours their jobs demand. This does create a barrier to working at the U, as students without disposable time to volunteer can’t realistically work there—which is a huge problem if we want our student government to be representative.

However, that’s not to say that the Union is paying its employees zero dollars. In 2022, the Students’ Union spent $136,738 on honorariums, with $17,137 being spent on salaries for the Representative Council, and $76,732 being spent on the Executive Board’s salaries. Students might also be surprised to learn that Exec pay has been rising around 10% per year since 2019, and the 2022 President Academic was paid a salary of $13,689 for the year.

Outside of honorariums, the 2021-2022 budget provisioned $2,820 to be spent on cell phones for full-time staff, and a $60/day allowance that U employees could spend on meals when away at events. There is also a $10,000 budget for “professional development,” and a $1,500 budget to be spent on T-Shirts. Additionally, the budget indicated that $6,000 dollars was spent on an awards banquet catering to individuals affiliated with the Students’ Union.

StFX students already have been experiencing significant rises in various expenses at StFX. For instance, we face the third-highest tuition among 15 schools for domestic students in Undergraduate Arts and the sixth highest for Sciences in the Maritimes. Additionally, we have some of the most expensive residence fees, meal plan costs, and the second highest "other" fees in the Maritimes (which covers technology fees, administration services, and student service fees). While this is all distinct from the Students’ Union, this increase would further compound our already high and increasing fees.

This Tuesday, the Students’ Union is asking you to commit future generations of students to pay a substantial and steep hike during a cost-of-living crisis. We’re not saying that U employees don’t deserve to be paid minimum wage, but it is unclear how much work is involved in working for the U, and how much of it is going unpaid. While people campaigning in favor of this referendum have framed it as if events like X-Ring and Grad were at stake should it fail to pass, this referendum really seems to be an issue securing a higher hourly wage for employees of the Students’ Union.

Ultimately, we encourage students to investigate the budgets themselves and see exactly where our money is going before making a choice on Tuesday. Transparency is key in ensuring that decisions regarding the Students’ Union fee hikes are made with full understanding and accountability. While fair compensation for Students’ Union employees is important, it should not be used as a pretext to significantly increase student fees. It's important to prioritize informed decision-making and hold our student government accountable for their financial decisions.

2021-2022 Student Union Annual Budget

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ed00ab06a31e8750be7fd6f/t/62ffe18ae67b6a3bad85be7c/1660936587263/StFX+Students%27+Union+Budget+2021-2022.pdf

The Students’ Union Policy Manual

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ed00ab06a31e8750be7fd6f/t/5ed91c3e5590d90859309c2c/1591286847489/Union%2BPolicy%2BManual%2BX18189%2B181118%2BTChikwavaire.pdf

Financial Statements: Saint Francis Xavier University Students' Union, April 30, 2023. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ed00ab06a31e8750be7fd6f/t/655e3a67e3203141d1b9313e/1700674151714/STFX+Students%27+Union+-+2023+Financial+Statements.pdf

Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission. Table A: Undergraduate Arts and Sciences Full-time1 Tuition Fees and Provincial Tuition Rebates/Bursaries 2022-2023 ​​http://www.mphec.ca/media/212618/Table-A_Tuition-undergraduate-2022-2023.pdf

Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission. Table C: Undergraduate Ancillary and Residence Fees 2022-2023 http://www.mphec.ca/media/212624/Table-C_Ancillary-and-residence-fees-2022-2023.pdf

Who is Francisco Chang and Why Should I Vote Him for Student Union President

Francisco Chang is 21 years old, in a BA Economics Honours program. He is from Guayaquil Ecuador and is not new to the hustle and grind that comes with representing the student body.

Over the last two years, Francisco has served in various representative positions at StFX, ranging from an International Student Representative to a Board of Governors Representative. As an International Student Representative, standing for at least 400 students, he has played a crucial role on campus in bridging cultural gaps and advocating for the specific needs of international students. Furthermore, he was responsible for facilitating communication between the International Students Office and the Student Union. Also, Francisco currently serves as a representative for the Board of Governors. From representing the entire student body on financial matters and policies to acting as a link between the university’s governing body and the student body, Mr. Chang has a lot to bring to the table as a Student Union President.

Over the years, the campus has been privileged to witness splendid debates and the most recent one on January 23rd, 2024. When asked to describe in detail what he intends to do if elected to his prescribed position, Mr Chang first highlighted his policies and ideology: “Promote accessibility, inclusivity and respect; sustainability, accountability, affordability and effective communication.” He went on to expand effective communication by explaining how a lot of students are not aware of all the services that the U provides and how he looks to improve it.

Speaking about diversity, Francisco talks about how StFX should champion its pride in diversity by doubling down on its removal of systematic barriers. Regarding the ideal characteristics a candidate should have, Candidate Francisco Chang highlights the importance of commitment and how that mirrors his belief in not doing something unless he believes in it. “It’s not a matter of doing a lot of things at the same time,” he says, “I think it is really important that you know when you decide to pursue something, you have the responsibility to do it all.” He further discusses how his dedication to commitment will reflect positively on the Student Union and how it will perform for the next year. Nevertheless, Mr Chang does not fail to highlight the importance of communication, initiative, being someone that is approachable and trustworthy.

The saliency of sustainable development cannot be overemphasized, and Candidate Francisco Chang did not fail to speak about it. When asked what he will do to contribute to the prioritization of sustainable development on campus, he reintroduces the idea of a sustainable development challenge fund. Mr Chang speaks about creating a plan to apply for the grant and how important it will be in contributing to the university’s plan to prioritize sustainable development. Furthermore, Francisco addressed the idea of the community garden and how partnering with students and the towns folk to bring this idea to fruition will be a great idea. He also goes on to talk about slowly transitioning to paperless operations on campus.

Mental health and mental health support play a large role in student life. When asked about his opinion on the university’s approach to mental health support and how it could improve, Mr Chang opens with the critical roles the university plays in mental health support for students. “Some of the things that the university and Student Union are doing well are that they have counselling services and peer support programmes.” However, Candidate Francisco Chang highlights the red tape involved in trying to get access to these services. He proffers some solutions in trying to increase the number of counsellors as well as getting involved in awareness campaigns to curb the stigmatization of those who speak up for help is top priority. “Fostering a culture of mutual support is important,” Francisco says.

He went on to emphasize on the must to create safe spaces for all groups of students. On planning to promote diversity, Mr Chang makes remarks on leading by example by reflecting diversity in leadership positions in the student union irrespective of sex, gender, race, disability, or sexual orientation – especially in underrepresented groups on campus.

On discussing upholding accountability and transparency within the Student Union, Francisco plans to “do more regular reports to the campus community about the executive’s ongoing projects.” He also spoke on making these reports accessible and how inaccessible reports from the Student Union to the campus body can regularly keep students in the dark and poorly informed about current happenings. Furthermore, Mr. Chang highlights the importance of town hall meetings where students are allowed to meet with the Student Union President and Vice President to ask questions and voice their concerns.

When asked about the cost-of-living crisis and how he would advocate for the needs of students, Francisco speaks on the services the union already provides and how they help to cut the costs of students. “For example,”, Francisco says, “DriveU and Kevin’s Corner.” He iterates his stance for the renewal of the memorandum of understanding allowing a predictability in the increase in tuition.

Candidate Francisco Chang also spoke on voters’ apathy and how the votes of every student count and are accounted for. However, he highlights the issue of various backgrounds and various needs of students where there is a budget. Mr. Chang explains how the policies that may take time differ from those that do not. “Every vote shapes the direction of this campus community,” Francisco mentions.

In his closing remarks, he reiterated the five pillars he stands for and how every student should let their vote be heard by voting. The Xaverian Weekly reminds all students to make an informed vote on January 30!

If You Were Looking for a Sign, this is It: Apply for Exchange.

When I accepted my offer to the University of Exeter last May, I was both excited and nervous. However, I knew I would regret it if I decided not to go. I knew that it was something I had to do because I didn’t know when or if I would ever have an opportunity like it again. If you too, have thought about going on exchange and have had these same thoughts, keep reading.

I moved to England in September, not knowing anyone. Truly, it felt like first-year move-in day all over again. However, not knowing anyone allowed me to put myself out there and meet new people. Over the last few months, I’ve been able to meet people from all over the world from places like New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, and Germany just to name a few.

Exeter is a small, quaint city in the south of England enriched with history and British charm. Although it is different from the small-town lifestyle at StFX, I have loved living in a city. You can walk everywhere. You can run to the grocery store to grab something quick for dinner and there are endless cafes, restaurants, pubs, and clothing shops. Truly, you don’t ever get bored. Living in a small city has been refreshing, giving me many different opportunities. I have been able to visit sites like the Exeter Cathedral, the on-campus Cinema Museum, and the Exeter Theatre. As well, the campus here is much bigger than StFX. The 25-minute walk–all uphill–is something I won’t miss; however, the campus is large, and there is so much to do on campus. There is a surplus of study spots, places to meet up with friends and places to grab a bite to eat between classes.

Outside of Exeter, I have been able to make it to many places on my bucket list like Scotland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. Truly, being able to take the train or fly an hour to a different country is something I will never get over. Although Exeter is about a four-hour train ride from London, I have been able to take many day trips by train to cities close by. Last month, I was able to go to Exmouth and Torquay, both small, seaside towns. From visiting these towns in England, I can confirm that it is true what they say, England is full of lots of old buildings, rolling hills and potentially the greatest number of cows and sheep I have ever seen.

As I am sitting here writing this, it's hard to believe my three months at Exeter are coming to an end. Just like every semester, it flew by. I realized that I was right: I would’ve regretted not taking the leap to study abroad. Of course, there are days when you may miss home, but living and studying in another country makes it all worth it. If you are ever considering applying for a study abroad at StFX, do it. Who knows where it will take you.  

Things I Will Be Doing as Soon as I Land in Canada.

As I reach my third month of living in England, I find myself counting down the days until I return to Canada with both sadness and excitement. There are so many things I have loved about living here. However, I didn’t think there would be many differences between living in England and Canada. After living in England for the last three months, I realized I was wrong. There are many important and fascinating differences that I have come across. From my personal experiences, here are some things that I am beyond excited for back home that I have missed while living in England. Or, if you are ever planning to visit England, here are some things that you should prepare for if you ever find yourself across the pond.

Using words without being misunderstood. I miss saying sidewalk instead of pavement, chips instead of crisps, cookies instead of biscuits, and movie theatre instead of the cinema. Truly, the list goes on and on. Yesterday, a friend came up to me and said, “I love your dungarees.” I was completely confused until she had to explain to me that dungarees are just another word for overalls. It's so interesting that even without a language barrier, there are so many words and phrases that differentiate themselves between Canada and England.

Driving. Oh, how I love getting my steps in, but I also miss being able to drive. Especially, if it's on the CORRECT side of the road. I never knew crossing the road could be such a challenge, but now, out of habit, I turn my head 360 degrees at every light to make sure I won't get hit by a car or a bike.

Walking without bumping into people. In Canada, we walk on the right side of the sidewalk. I thought this was universal knowledge. However, everyone here walks everywhere, in every direction. So, be prepared to walk in a zigzag line when you’re in a crowd just so you don’t bump into anybody. Oh, and if you’re a slow walker, forget about it.

Wearing sweatpants in public without being judged. Sometimes, you don’t want to wear jeans. Or cargo pants. Or even leggings. Sometimes, you just want to wear sweatpants to class. I love putting together a good outfit, and so does everyone else on my university campus in England. However, I do miss being able to wake up fifteen minutes before my 8:30 am class and wear my sweatpants to class just like everyone else.

Not having to carry my umbrella or “brolly” with me 24/7. If there is one thing people didn’t lie about, it’s the rain.  It rains here. A lot. Most of the time, if the weather doesn’t say it's going to rain, it will. Or, it will say it's going to rain and then never actually rain. Pro tip: Always have an umbrella on hand, or, as the Brits say, your “brolly.”

The Golden X Inn Ought to Offer a Women's Washroom

This is not a case against gender-neutral washrooms. This is a case for acknowledging that women’s safety is an ongoing concern, especially in a context where alcohol is served, and it is problematic for the campus bar to only offer an all-gender stalled washroom.

For context, The Golden X Inn (the campus bar) has been undergoing renovations for about eight months and is on track to re-open at the beginning of the Spring Semester. At the grand reopening, patrons can anticipate a new stage, an updated bar, and oh, one all-gender washroom. These are not single-stalled washrooms, as people might recognize from the off-campus bar Candid. It will be one room, lined with stalls, intended for all genders to use alongside each other.

Students may have noticed gender-neutral washrooms beginning to appear around campus. In all academic buildings in which they are offered, gender-neutral washrooms can be regarded as a third option, existing alongside segregated washrooms. Beyond the case of a few residences, there is no real precedent for a building offering gender-neutral bathrooms exclusively. I cannot understand why the school would start with the campus bar as their first experiment amalgamating the men's and women’s washrooms. According to the National Sexual Violence Research Center, approximately 75% of rape victims are intoxicated. This is not to misplace blame onto sexual assault victims, but StFX students surely understand that alcohol has a debilitating effect. People are vulnerable when they are drunk, and our bar is, thereby, inherently one of the least safe spaces on campus for women.

Furthermore, female washrooms can play a defensive role in the context of a bar. As the joke goes, women go to the bathroom in groups. This is partly because the women’s bathroom is a room where men cannot acceptably follow them. If you want to check in on your friend and make sure they’re comfortable, you can suggest that the two of you go to the bathroom together as a means to easily pull them aside and talk to them in private. And if you yourself wanted to get away from a persistent man, the women’s bathroom provides a perfect excuse to get away and “hide,” so to speak. The goal of this article is not to try to exclude transgender or nonbinary people from women’s washrooms, but to emphasize that they are men-free zones, and this separation is necessary for women’s safety.

I also want to point out that sexual violence resources were formerly posted on the back of the women’s washroom stall doors in the Inn. These resources should really be made visible to everyone, regardless of gender, but I want to call attention to one poster specifically. The women’s washroom used to advertise a made-up drink that women could “order” to discretely indicate that they needed help. Anonymity when getting someone kicked out of a bar is critical at a small school like StFX because you don’t want to risk angering someone when they likely know who you are. With the elimination of the female washroom, this resource loses its discretion and unique appeal.

Perhaps it seems dramatic to say that the merging of the men's and women’s washrooms poses a threat to women. But just last February, two women were assaulted in a female washroom at the Queen’s University Library. And that’s a library. Bathrooms are surveillance blind spots, as you can’t even have a security camera facing the door. I would also add that Inn staff are being asked to be extra vigilant to compensate for this remodel, and an onus is being unfairly placed on the Inn security’s shoulders, who are students themselves. I don’t understand the rationale behind making an already vulnerable space even more so. Why is the female bathroom being rendered more dangerous at one of the most dangerous places for a woman on campus? If this were indeed something students were asking for, wouldn’t we see stalled gendered washrooms being phased out across campus, not just the campus bar?

By using the idea that all-gender bathrooms promote inclusivity, the Students’ Union misplaces blame and fosters resentment towards the LGBTQ+ community. I, for one, cannot remember X-Pride campaigning for the opening of an all-gender bathroom in the Inn, or at the very least, in the way it has been designed. Frankly, I think that claiming that this bathroom meets the demands of LGBTQ+ is an excuse. People are upset by this design choice, and the Students’ Union is implicitly misdirecting blame towards LGBTQ+ students by saying that their decision was motivated by a desire to promote inclusivity. A petition has been circulating on Change.Org since August 31st, and has amassed 208 signatures. During their staff training, Inn staff were told that combining the men and women’s bathroom was necessary to install enough stalls for the increased capacity that the renovations allow for. I would say that saving money is the real reason the Inn is reopening without a female washroom and using the cover of “inclusivity” is unfair to LGBTQ+ students.

The Inn ought to offer a women's washroom because they ought to offer a space in a bar that promotes women’s safety instead of undermining it. I am personally insulted that women’s safety is being disregarded and seems to be of such little importance to the Students’ Union. Even if my concern is exaggerated or overblown, I think it is an undeniable fact the elimination of the women’s washroom endangers women to some extent. The Students’ Union should never do anything that increases the likelihood of sexual assault. Perhaps this idea will run smoothly for this year or even the next few, but I fear that a women’s washroom will only be reimplemented after something disastrous happens. The fact that this is the Students’ Union’s chosen course of action disgusts me.

The Ultimate “Gift” Guide for A Stressed-Out Student

Oh, it's the most wonderful time of the year. You thought I was talking about the holiday season? No. It’s the day after your last final. The day when you can finally relax. The day when you can say goodbye to those late-night study sessions, backaches from sitting in the library for two weeks straight and, of course, the stress that’s been finally lifted off your shoulders. For the first time in a month, you can enjoy the holiday season and stop thinking about all the work you must do.

Soon, this will be you. But, until then, you must get through the dreaded three weeks of final assessments, essays, and exams. Many of you reading this are a stressed-out student yourself or know someone who is a stressed-out student. However, there are many ways to make this time of year (a little bit) better for yourself or those around you during the worst time of year: finals season. 

1.       Coffee

When it’s final season, purchases on coffee or a sweet treat do not count. I don’t make the rules. Some source of caffeine is essential to buy yourself or, if you are feeling generous, someone else. Getting yourself some caffeine is crucial to get you through the days when you don’t see the sun because you’ve been inside all day. 

2.                  Advil 

Headaches, backaches, and migraines are bound to happen when you are staring at your laptop for 15 hours a day. Even more likely when you are hunched over your desk trying to memorize 150 vocabulary words for your exam the following day. Pro tip: always keep Advil on hand. You or someone you know will thank you for it. 

3.                  A large sweater

It’s cold, gets dark at 5 pm and all you want to do is be curled up in your bed. But you can’t. The Alternative? Get yourself a large, preferably fuzzy sweater and get studying. It is the closest thing you’ll get to a blanket all day. 

4.                  Study snacks

The only way to get through a long study day is, of course, with study snacks. My choice: Something sweet for my sweet tooth and something salty for some balance. Sometimes if I need some motivation I’ll decide to purchase, for example, my $8 coffee and cake pop from Starbucks. It doesn’t really count if it's during finals season…does it?

5.                  New study supplies

The only way to somewhat enjoy studying is to make your notes enjoyable to write. Getting new study supplies before I know I'll be writing so many notes my hand will be cramping, helps me to somewhat enjoy writing my notes. Truly, getting some new pens, highlighters and cue cards is a foolproof method to make you want to write your notes. Even if your hand feels like it's going to fall off, at least your notes will look good.

6.                  A break

I know you’re probably stressed out because your exam is tomorrow, and you feel like you know nothing even though you’ve been in the library for hours. Hear me out: take a break. Go for a walk, visit some friends, watch a movie, bake some cookies. Really, do anything to take your mind off all the information you’ve just crammed into your brain. Taking occasional breaks is key to surviving this time of year.

Together, these six essentials to surviving exam season are the ideal combination to make this time of year a little better so we can get to the best day of the year: the day you hand in your final exam.

The Case for Writing With AI

In the dynamic landscape of higher education, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into various facets of academic life is becoming increasingly prevalent. One area where AI stands to make a profound impact is in the realm of essay writing. Traditionalists may raise eyebrows at the thought of machines aiding in the cultivation of critical thinking and eloquent expression, but the potential benefits of AI in university essay writing are both vast and transformative.

Firstly, AI can act as a powerful tool for enhancing the writing process. Through advanced algorithms and natural language processing, AI platforms can swiftly analyze large volumes of information, helping students gather relevant data for their essays. This not only expedites the research phase but also enables students to explore a broader range of perspectives, fostering a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

Furthermore, AI-driven writing assistants can assist in the refinement of students' writing skills. These tools can provide real-time feedback on grammar, syntax, and style, serving as a personalized writing coach available 24/7. This immediate feedback loop allows students to identify and rectify writing mistakes promptly, facilitating a continuous learning process that extends beyond the traditional classroom setting.

Critics may argue that the use of AI could compromise the authenticity and originality of students' work. However, when employed ethically, AI can function as a collaborative partner rather than a replacement for human creativity. Students remain the architects of their ideas, with AI serving as a facilitator to refine and optimize their expression.

Additionally, the implementation of AI in essay writing aligns with the evolving demands of the job market. In the professional realm, effective communication is paramount, and the ability to articulate ideas coherently is a valuable skill. By familiarizing students with AI-driven writing tools, universities prepare them for a future where collaboration with intelligent systems is increasingly commonplace.

As with any technological advancement, ethical considerations must be at the forefront of implementation. Universities must establish clear guidelines regarding the use of AI in essay writing, emphasizing the importance of original thought and proper attribution. This ensures that AI serves as a supportive tool rather than a crutch, nurturing the development of critical thinking and analytical skills in students.

In conclusion, the integration of AI into university essay writing represents a progressive step toward preparing students for the challenges of the 21st century. By harnessing the power of AI to streamline the writing process, offer real-time feedback, and enhance communication skills, universities can empower students to thrive in an increasingly digital and interconnected world. Embracing AI in essay writing is not a threat to academic integrity but a strategic move towards a more efficient, innovative, and student-centric education system.

This article was written by ChatGPT.

Bloom-flation

Returning StFX students arrived back on campus this year to a most unwelcome surprise: the wildly popular ‘One Swipe’ program at the Bloomfield Café had been silently changed. This program allowed students to use one of their meal swipes to purchase a Bloomfield Burger or a Rita Wrap, which comes with a drink and small soup.

This September, students discovered some changes to the program, none of which were communicated to students prior to paying thousands of dollars on meal plans. As of the first week of classes this fall, the StFX website’s dining page states “The ONE-SWIPE Program is a Bloomfield Café exclusive program that allows you to use your meal swipes on select meal combo options between 11 AM-2 PM, Monday-Friday". Sodexo's StFX web page had a similar “The exclusive One Swipe Program allows you to use your meal swipe between 11:00am and 2:00pm to get a healthy and convenient lunch from our selected combo meal options”. Neither of these mention a new limit of 3 swipes per week was put in place, what had last year been 10 (2 a day 5 days a week).

J.T. Campbell, a second-year student from O’Regan, purchased the unlimited meal plan. He had intended to use Bloomfield up to five days a week, as he had been allowed to last year. “If I had been informed that they were altering [the meal plan] I would have preferred to use the money I spent on other food.” J.T. laments having to use his DCB to buy food at Bloomfield—due to the new limit—on top of his meal swipe.

Bob Hale, Director of Ancillary services at StFX, says not informing students before classes “was a mistake on [his] part”. He says that over the summer several different alterations were considered to the One-Swipe Program to ensure its continued availability amid rising inflation. The administration settled on keeping One-Swipe with an additional extra three-dollar charge. A ‘homestyle’ station was added at Bloomfield that uses One Swipe without the added cost. Hale points out that the vast majority of Universities in Canada have ditched similar programs in recent years, and that StFX and Sodexo were committed to saving it due to its popularity with students. Not informing students, says Hale, was a regrettable “oversight”.

Hale and Tim Hierlihy, Sodexo General Manager, named several of Sodexo’s other programs on Campus. Too Good To Go is a mobile app that sells surplus food in ‘surprise bags’ at 1/3 the original price, now available at Bloomfield. The CANO program is free to students and encourages sustainability by allowing users to “borrow well designed re-usable food containers” and rewarding them with points. Named after former Sodexo General Manager Kevin Fraser, Kevin’s Food Corner “is a free, confidential service accessible to any student who needs some assistance with the ever-increasing cost of groceries.”

https://www.stfx.ca/news/giving-tuesday-money-raised-will-help-kevins-corner-student-food-resource-centre-stfx

Laudato Si’: Does Christianity have a place in Climate-change discourse?

For those of us not fully engaged with modern religious discourse, Laudato Si’ is an encyclical, a papal letter, by Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church. In essence, he asserts the following: "A true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor" (LS, 45). Published in 2015, Pope Francis instructs us all collaborate as God’s instruments in caring for our common home.

It is from Laudato Si’ that Dr. Hilda P. Koster, a guest lecturer from the Ecological Theology department at the University of St. Michael’s College, drew themes for her talk on Sunday, October 1, 2023. Invited by Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick from the Diocese of Antigonish, she was asked to offer a feminist perspective on these issues. In the Catholic tradition, her visit took place during the “Season of Creation”, which runs yearly from September 1st to October 4th. It was also on the day subsequent to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada.

The lecture, followed by a question period and a buffet reception, took place in Schwartz 205. Members of StFX Chaplaincy, a few curious students, and community members gathered to listen. Introductions were made by Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick (Antigonish Diocese), University Chaplain Father Donald MacGillivray and Father Tom MacNeil, a Pastor in New Glasgow. 

Bishop Kirkpatrick described environmental and climate action as “putting an end to the senseless war against creation, by resolving to transform our hearts, our lifestyles, and the public policies that govern our societies”. He said that “[climate change] is not a purely theoretical or theological concern”, and highlighted the recent memory of floods, wildfires, hurricanes, and other climate emergencies, which caused “significant environmental and ecological damage”.

Dr. Koster spoke mostly of socio-economic issues such as Feminism and Indigenous sovereignty and how they are intrinsically interlinked with climate action. She spoke of eco-feminism, genocide, and a decolonial approach to environmental activism.

“Christianity is the most anthropocentric religion” she stated. Using this statement, she proclaimed that, therefore, Christianity is the “most destructive [religion] to our environment”. She did acknowledge that some degree of anthropocentrism was merited, given that the very definition of sustainability is to preserve resources for future generations.

She accused Pope Francis of privilege and unenlightenment when he did not specifically name the intersectionality of impoverished Indigenous women and climate change when speaking of impoverished, or the “poor” in Laudato Si’. She urged Pope Francis to take on a more “eco-feminist” approach.

During the allotted question period after her speech, I asked her whether she thought that traditional Catholicism, or conservatism, will hinder socio-economic and environmental progress in the fight against the Climate Crisis.

While she didn't specifically comment on conservatism, Catholicism or another form of traditionalist belief system, she did say that some people "enter these spaces with harmful preconceptions and attitudes".

"I went in with some hope and left with none" confessed a student after the talk. An older male colleague asked me: "Why does feminism need to be brought up in everything?”. Although I will not reveal the specific social or cultural context of our exchange, I interpret such a question to be a misunderstanding of the issues faced by all women to date, or perhaps, rhetorically, a deep-seated frustration with the virtue monologues that seem to dominate mainstream culture.

With the contents of the talk still weighing in my mind a couple of days later, I chatted in Wellspring with an International student from the United-States. During our conversation, they said that they feel America is “so behind on pretty much everything that we can’t even begin to talk about Climate Change”.  Although I won’t bore you with the details of our conversation, the Electoral College and southern evangelicals were some topics of discussion. When I inquired about the talk to a Sister of St. Martha, she said that she thought Dr. Koster was being far too critical of Pope Francis and Laudato Si’.

In my opinion, it seems we are in a constant, seemingly never-ending, state of virtue signaling and blame. Given the urgency of the situation, is this really our best resolve? In the end, I did appreciate the talk. It wasn't all that hopeful; the hope is in collective action and having an honest and action-based discourse on issues that still plague us to date. Dr. Koster wasn't preaching a “Second Coming” or divine salvation, as I half expected. Nor did Pope Francis in his encyclical, from my understanding. My only worry is that we will burn in this burning house because the door is too heavy, and the windows are sealed shut. Or maybe because we are stuck in a basement with our headphones in, choosing to be isolated and deaf to the crackling of the flames just outside our bedroom door. Metaphorically speaking of course.

Welcome to The Nish: Things Only StFX Students Understand

StFX has many traditions and special characteristics that make the school unique. I grew up in Ontario, where many of my friends went to larger universities and stayed within the province. When I was looking at universities, what drew me to StFX was its small classes, the small town, and the close-knit community—things that weren’t like other schools in Ontario. Truly, it sounded like a place that was the opposite of where my peers were going, and now that I am finishing off my second year here, I was right. I have come across many places, people, and things specific to this school that I know would surprise anyone who doesn’t go to X—especially students at other universities. So, here are five specific places and things that only StFX students will understand about X.  

1. X-Ring.

Most notably, the ring of recognition for completing a degree at StFX is a large contributor in making this school what it is. I cannot think of any other school that has a ring that is a milestone for students. Like most students at X, I am counting down the days until I get mine.

2. The One and Only (Literally): Piper’s Pub.

There’s a reason the Pub is always so busy: It’s because it's the only off-campus pub in town. However, there are Pub lovers and haters, so whatever your stance is I support it because I’ve had some great and not-so-great times at the Pub. Despite mixed opinions, the Pub is one of the only gathering spots off-campus and I believe it's one of the many reasons StFX is as close-knit of a community as it is. 

3. Crows.

I’ve said it before, and I will say it again: Antigonish just has a lot of crows. I know that any other school in a city would not be accustomed to the surplus of crows that swoop over our campus. Despite their high population on our campus, the crows (no matter how noisy they are) make StFX a place like no other.  

4. 4:30 Dome.

“Hey, want to go to 4:30 dome?” was a question I got asked throughout my first year at X. In fact, it became less of a question and more of a routine during my year living in residence. I know for myself and many others, meal hall was a place where many memories were made whether it was for “4:30 dome” or for Friday night recaps on Saturday mornings. If you ask any non-StFX students about “4:30 dome” they will probably think you are referring to The Dome Nightclub in Halifax or they will think you are crazy. Regardless, they will probably think you are crazy because no one goes to The Dome Nightclub at 4:30 pm.

5. Kenny’s vs. The Wheel

There has been a long debate over which local pizza joint is the best, but truly, they are both good in their different ways. If you ask any StFX student which pizza joint is the best, you will come across a variety of answers. But between me and you, I am (and always will be) a fan of The Wheel.

I could go on and on about what makes StFX so special and, truly, a place like no other. Because really, what other university has the third most well-recognized ring in the world, a crow population that (almost) outnumbers its student population, and has an ongoing, heated debate over two local pizza places? That’s right, nowhere. Despite discovering many of the places and things that most students at X have learned about, I am still learning about the little things that make this place unique. If you, too, are still learning, I hope this list could make you laugh, learn or that it could be a relatable source of life at X—welcome to the Nish.

Reading Breaks in Antigonish

Being in Antigonish during the breaks can be a strange experience. With the majority of students going home, campus has a different feel too normal. Residences are quiet, many places are shut, and meal hall hours are limited. Without a car, it can be difficult to travel very far. However, reading breaks can be an opportunity to explore Antigonish better, as well as relax with very few distractions. Here are a few ideas for international students (and other students who are staying) for ways to make the most of your reading weeks.

1.     Actually study- for people with midterms after the break, it can be easier to study when on campus. The library is pretty much empty, and residence lounges are silent, making it much easier to focus.

2.     Catch up on sleep- there are no parties happening.

3.     Try an escape room- Lost Realms (close to Tims and Needs) has escape rooms that can be fun to complete in groups. It is open until 5pm everyday (4pm on Sundays.) Since the semester can very busy, reading week is an ideal time to try this.

4.     Pick up extra shifts at work- since most students go home for the week, there should be a lot of extra hours.

5.     Go to the gym when it isn’t packed.

6.     Watch movies- Monty Python is great if you are wanting something funny.

7.     Residence and Bloomfield Hub activities- check your residence Instagram for activities happening during the week. Bloomfield Hub also offered craft nights and therapy dogs during the November reading break, which I really enjoyed.

8.     Exploring Main Street- there are some really cosy cafes there, which can make a nice change to study in. Also, the thrift store is cheap!

9.     Going on walks- I really enjoyed having time to walk around Antigonish during my break. If you can find a ride, Beaver Mountain Provincial Park, the Arisaig beach and Antigonish Landing are beautiful spots to visit.

10.  Visit Antigonish Farmer’s Market.

11.  Check and see if there are any performances happening at the Bauer theatre on campus- this is located just behind Mackinnon. Tickets are normally discounted for students, so reading break is a good time to see what is on offer!

12.  Use the ice rink during the free skate sessions- free for students.

13.  Cook with friends in my kitchen- since meal hall is so quiet during the breaks, it is a good time to make use of the space and try some new recipes.

14.  Start a new book- I'd recommend the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (Taylor Jenkins Reid) or Daisy Jones and the Six (by the same author.) Daisy Jones also has a TV show on Amazon Prime now!

15.  Call friends and family back home- I find it hard to call often when things get busy, so make the most of the free time.

I hope this list helps make your next break in Antigonish more enjoyable!

Opinion: We Shouldn’t Still Be Wearing Masks on Campus

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, schools and universities around the country shutdown. At the time, I was in the second semester of my grade 12 year at Moncton High School in Moncton, New Brunswick. Schools closed after Friday the 13th, and we finished the year online. From half-baked zoom classes and barely any assignments, we had a socially distanced graduation ceremony. It was basically a diploma drive-through and took a whopping five minutes to get through.

During the whole of 2020, I spent many afternoons in my friend’s yard, talking and hanging out while socially distanced and outdoors. When the 10-people bubbles started in New Brunswick, my friends and I started hanging out again without the distance. Masks were not mandatory in New Brunswick until after I started attending StFX in the fall.

In the fall of 2020, I started my first year at StFX. At that time, the school required us to wear masks everywhere, even outside. After a month, we were finally able to take our masks off outside. During my second year in 2021-2022, we could also remove our masks in residence. Now, we are only required to wear masks in educational spaces. But why are we wearing them at all?

Considering the majority of students and staff choose not to wear masks outside of educational spaces, it seems somewhat unnecessary of the school to require us to wear them in classrooms. For example, a group of friends can go to Piper’s, meal hall, and to parties together, sharing food and drinks, without being socially distanced and without wearing masks. If any of them were to catch COVID, it could easily spread among the friend group and other acquaintances outside the classroom. Considering the fact that everyone is able to socialize with whomever they so choose, it seems doubtful that masks in class are a reliable source of protection from COVID. Masks in class are by no means a saving grace of any kind. Shouldn’t students then have the option of wearing them or not? Those that choose to wear them in all spaces could continue to do so, but those that do not want to wear them could choose not to, as they also do in all other spaces.

It seems that we are now at a point where individuals should be able to choose whether they want to wear masks or not in classrooms, such as they are able to choose out in the world.

Sit Back, Relax, Grab Some Popcorn: Celebrate International Women’s Day from Your Screen.

March 8th marks International Women’s Day and what better way to celebrate than to sit back, relax, and grab some popcorn to watch some classics–new and old–that celebrate strong, empowering women. If you need some movie-watching inspiration, I have some favorites that will be sure to spark some form of female empowerment in your life.

 1. Legally Blond

Elle Woods proves that you can do anything you put your mind to…including Harvard Law School. This classic rom-com will have you laughing, crying, and just maybe convince you to apply to law school. Or, do anything you put your mind to, no matter who you are or where you come from.

2. Little Women

Louisa May Alcott’s 1869 Little Women novel is a classic; however, the novel's 2019 film adaptation reinforces the heartwarming and empowering story of sisters during the American Civil War. Each sister overcomes a societal struggle, but Jo, one of the four March sisters is a writer, breaking the boundaries of what is considered traditional or “ladylike.” Truly, the story of the March sisters showcases how women–whether it be in 1869 or 2023–can be the heroes of their own stories.

3. Wonder Woman

The 2017 film featuring Gal Gadot presents the epitome of an empowered, strong female lead. As Wonder Woman, Gadot attempts to stop and fights through war, understanding her true powers as a superhero and as a woman. To many, Wonder Woman has been portrayed as a peacemaker and a fighter for equality. In my opinion, what better way to celebrate International Women’s Day than by watching Wonder Woman–the superhero that spearheaded female equality on and off screen.

4. The Hate U Give

The 2018 film adaptation of The Hate U Give is an eye-opening, empowering story that showcases systemic racism, activism, and relations with the police in present-day America. The film shows the story of Starr Carter, a young woman of color who has been affected by racism and is now an activist for the racism that she has experienced. The film showcases the intersectionality of race and gender that makes Starr such a powerful female heroine. Ultimately, the film encompasses how anyone can become a power figure–just like Starr.

5. The Hunger Games

If you haven’t seen The Hunger Games, you missed out on a central part of 2012 pop culture. In fact, it is one of the highest-grossing film franchises of all time. If you are one of the few people who haven’t seen the series, International Women’s Day is the perfect time to grab a snack and watch the 548-minute series. Katniss Everdeen–the female lead in the films–is a strong, fearless female heroine that springboards the series to its success. Despite Panem–the dystopian world of the Hunger Games–being far from our reality, Katniss evolves into a leader by standing up for herself and everyone around her. Throughout the four-part series, Katniss sparks a flame, igniting change and just maybe inspiring you to do the same.

New Year, Same You: The Truth About New Year's Resolutions

2023 New Year's Resolution: to not make any more new year's resolutions. Here’s the thing about new year's resolutions, they’re meant to be broken. What I’m trying to say is, they are pointless. Yes, a new year can often signify a refresh, a new start; however, goals can be made at any point during the year. There is so much hype about being a better version of yourself once the clock strikes midnight on January 1st. In my opinion, it's because the idea of making yourself new is just a way to make ourselves feel better about all the things we didn’t achieve last year. 

I used to be an avid new year's resolution maker. That is until I realized that resolutions can be made at any time and anywhere. This isn’t to bash anyone who makes new years resolutions, I used to make them too. However, since I’ve stopped, I’ve lived my life without the pressure to be the best version of myself at the start of the new year. Even though it's a new year, it is also just another month, another day, really. Truly, I stopped following the notion of a “new year, new me.” However, I am not against making goals. In fact, I have some tips to make sure any goals you make–at any time–succeed.

1. Make sure they are sustainable–is it something you will actually want to do?

2. Why do you want to achieve it?

3. What is the long-term outcome?

In making these goals, don’t measure your success based on productivity. I used to define my days by how much I got done on my do-list, but, truly, making my daily goal of being productive made me feel like I achieved less because oftentimes, I didn’t check off every box on my to-do list. Because we measure our success through the idea of productivity, it really is rewarding when you wake up early, complete all your work and go to the gym. However, most days are not like this. In fact, measuring your happiness and success from productivity makes you think about everything you didn’t achieve. Yesterday, I woke up at noon, spent the day watching movies and did not cook any of my meals. Despite my unproductivity, I measured my day based on the enjoyment I felt from simply doing nothing.

With these tips, maybe you can give up the idea of a “new year, new you” and make some goals right now…or, in six months. Or, whenever you decide that you want to make a change in your life. What I’m trying to say is: stop pressuring yourself to become the “best” version of yourself right now. If you want to go lay in bed, watch some Netflix and do nothing, go for it. I promise you’ll thank yourself later.

X Tips: What to Re-Watch in 2023

Looking at the list of the new movies hitting the big screen in 2023, the vibe doesn’t feel modern, but more so recycled. Over the years, streaming services have dominated more and more of the market share for visual media, and the appeal of novelty has faltered as many take solace in the easy accessibility of classics they already enjoy. Re-watching The Officefor the umpteenth time is familiar & comforting, you already know you like it (or Community, How I Met Your Mother, but definitely not Friends).

Starting a new show, or movie, can feel risky; What if it’s not good? The patience our parents had back when TVs had antennas and two channels is lost on us. Now cable TV has thousands of stations you can click through, and nobody even watches them. It would take over four years to watch everything on Netflix, forget adding Hulu, Crave or Disney Plus on top of that. Making a dent in that is almost impossible when you’re reviewing the Prison Mike episode. Of course, nobody's watching anything without their phone in hand, doing homework, or both.

Media companies are aware of this, and in return have given us what they deem we want. While they don’t make as much money from old movies, we re-watch, a new movie based on an older one seems to do enough to trick us into watching it. For example, Wonka, yet another take on Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will be hitting the big screens this year; however, this time, the film does not include Charlie. The film stars Timothee Chalamet as young Willy Wonka because, of course, it has Timothy Chalamet. Chalamet is also starring in Dune Vol. 2, the second part of what is supposed to be a two-part series. That is, unless Warner Bros. likes the ratings of this re-adaptation of the 1965 novel by Frank Herbert, already having a film adaption of in 1984 by David Lynch.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Antman and The Wasp/Quantumania are coming out, where you can expect time travel, lasers, snappy dialogue and definite cameos from actors across the MCU. Spoiler alert: Iron Man is still dead in this timeline. Spider Man: Across the Spider Verse, one of the few Marvel movies not in the MCU, will still feature its driving plot force of Spiderman to meet Spidermen from other universes. Having Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield and Toby Maguire on screen together wasn’t enough. Additionally, A live-action The Little Mermaid remake with Halle Berry will help you to figure out which one of your friends and family is a closet racist but also show you that Disney fired all their writers who write their own ideas.

Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling star in Barbie, while Chris Pratt voices the titular character of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, there’s a new Hunger Games movie, another John Wick, Scream XI, Transformers: Rise of Beasts, Creed 3,Aquaman 2, Meg 2, Legally Blonde 3, The Nun 2, The Equalizer 3, Murder Mystery 2, The Expendables 4, a new Indiana Jones and--I’m being deadly serious right now--Fast and Furious 10.

Am I going to watch any of these? Probably. Am I going to like it? I don’t really care. If I’m actually paying to go to the Cinema to watch a movie, I plan to be so high I don’t remember what happens. The only note-worthy candidate this year seems to be Cocaine Bear, which like every other movie mentioned here is not original but based on the true story of a black bear in 1985 that did a $#*!- ton of cocaine. To be fair, those were the 80s. If my word alone doesn’t have you buying a ticket it’s important to note it is also the last feature film performance from Ray Liotta, who passed away in 2022. Speaking of, I should re-watch Goodfellas soon.

Is Veganuary a Big Missed-steak?

The month of January isn't over yet, but the Veganuary movement can already celebrate widespread participation. For those unfamiliar with the challenge, participants must commit to eating a strictly vegan diet throughout the month of January. That’s right. Absolutely no meat, dairy, eggs, or other animal by-products for an entire month. Students might recognize the trend’s source of inspiration, Dry January, wherein those who partake are alcohol-free for the whole month.

Launched in 2014, a record number of participants have opted-in to this now-viral challenge. According to The Independent, 610,000 registrations were accounted for in this 2023 edition—an optimistic increase from last year’s impressive 580,000 registered participants. Of course, we can’t determine how many people actually committed to their vegan pledge. But the movement is undeniably gaining awareness and support for the vegan community.

Veganism is dedicated to animal welfare and the meat industry’s harmful impacts on the environment. Considering that many New Year’s resolutions are health-oriented, people can consider Veganuary as a good starting point for improving their diet. Nutritionists have been encouraging the public to consume less meat and eat a more plant-based diet for years, after all.

Additionally, the environmental advantages of going vegan are undeniable. A study conducted in 2021 by researchers at the University of Oxford concluded that eating a vegan diet could be “the single biggest way” a person could reduce their environmental impact. Incorporating vegan meals into their week is an impactful way for people looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

Unfortunately, I don’t think this challenge can be reasonably done at StFX. While discussing veganism with fellow students, the consensus reached was that going vegan was impractical for first-year students dependent on Morrison Hall. While there are technically vegan options, I, for one, would struggle with the diet of soup, salad, and the occasional stir fry that Morrison offers for vegan students.

Barriers to Veganuary also persist off-campus. Most daunting: Eating vegan is expensive. You’d think the big V on the packaging stands for “very expensive” when you discover that vegan burgers are $9.99 for a mere two patties. Most students rely on Sobeys for their grocery shopping. When the price of blueberries can be more expensive than an entire rotisserie chicken, it is unreasonable to guilt strapped-for-cash university students into buying food they can’t afford.

Finally, is participating in Veganuary even sufficient for the environment’s sake? Suppose you commit to a vegan diet for January. In that case, you still contribute to climate change, pollution, and the depletion of our planet’s resources for the remaining eleven months of the year. Of course, the effort is commendable. But one should not use it to justify their behaviour for the rest of the year.

I’m not suggesting that those participating in Veganuary must commit to veganism for the rest of their lives. But participants should continue their efforts to be environmentally conscious year-round. It may do more harm than good if you consider completing this challenge as effectively “letting you off the hook” for the rest of 2023.

So, is participating in Veganuary a good idea? If you have the interest, resources, and passion for undertaking the challenge, by all means, go for it. I applaud your commitment! However, we should acknowledge that Veganuary is exceptionally difficult for university students. Those who opt out should not be judged and can still be considered environmentally conscious.

And a reminder as the month wraps up: this challenge is just the veganning!

Take a Break, You Deserve It

When I was younger, I would start listening to holiday music, put up decorations and begin counting down the days till Christmas on November 1st. I was the epitome of a kid with holiday spirit. I think that part of me is still there, longing to come out; however, as a university student, things are a little bit different now. Instead of doing all of those things, I countdown the days till my last exam, thinking about all my assignments and papers to do, and how on earth I am going to do it all.

Thinking back to when I had that excitement for the holiday’s made me wonder how I can bring it back. Or, at least a piece of it back. No matter if you do or don’t celebrate anything during the holidays, this time of year can be stressful for students as the dreaded darkness of daylight savings–and exams–takes over our lives. But between all the business, I think we can all make some time to take a break. Truly, the beginning of December used to be filled with anticipation and excitement, but it’s now filled with long hours of studying, procrastinating and stressing about procrastinating. However, this year is going to be different. This year, aside from finals, we can do a little something to make the long, dark days of December a little brighter.

Firstly, I recommend baking something. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, but by taking an hour out of your day, you can procrastinate by baking instead of scrolling on TikTok for hours. Even better, you get a pretty sweet reward for your hard work in the kitchen. After you bake something, you may as well watch a movie. Personally, I prefer holiday movies around this time to distract myself from everything I’m avoiding doing. Some of my favorites include Home Alone, Christmas With The Kranks and The Holiday. If you are feeling like taking a break from your studies and really getting in the Holiday spirit, the town of Antigonish is putting on A Hometown Christmas with events throughout December–check out the schedule below!

All I’m trying to say is, there are ways this December doesn’t have to be as dull as it seems. Despite the dreaded dark days of finals season, you can do something small, like bake some cookies, watch a movie or go and distract yourself from that exam you’ve been dreading. By bringing back that excitement for this season, it makes the finish line for finals appear just a little bit closer. So, take a well-deserved break, you deserve it.

Three Years Later: Covid On Campus

The start of the winter term in 2023 will mark three years since the outbreak of Covid-19, quarantine and mask mandates. While many aspects of quotidian life have returned to pre-pandemic norms, masks in StFX classrooms haven’t. In fact, they’re still required inside all classrooms and educational facilities and are recommended inside residences.

While Covid may feel over with no online school, bars and restaurants open and parties filled with lots of people, it’s not disappeared entirely. The province reported an average of 79 PCR-positive cases a day and 238 current hospitalizations on the 17th of November.

With ICU beds filling up quickly in provinces like Ontario and Quebec, calls for more mask and vaccine mandates are ramping up. While Nova Scotia has not yet seen significant a surge in respiratory illness, the possibility of a new wave over the winter months is worth mentioning. And with the recent memory of the disastrous X-Ring ceremony last year, where the StFX and the Student Union were both fined by the Province for flouting Public Safety regulations in the not-so-distant past, perhaps the university is better off safe than sorry. Conversely, StFX has relaxed many of its covid measures for the current fall term, yet many among the student body feel it has not been relaxed enough.

When asked about the school policy of masks in class, Juliette Williams from MacIsaac said “They’re kinda dumb… We don’t need masks anywhere but classes.” A masked classroom in an unmasked building could surely do a small amount to stop the spread, but not much. While Juliette recognizes that the virus “still affects a lot of people across the country” she doesn’t feel concerned about her health if infected. As a young person triple-vaxxed, Juliette, like most folk on campus, is not at the greatest risk for serious complications from Covid. The average age for those who died of Covid in Nova Scotia was 84, and for hospitalization was 77.

Alex Guerra, who lives in O’Regan, echoes Juliette’s feelings. He says “Its as if covid has just ended... Except for mask restrictions in class.” He notes that despite the rules “no one wears [masks] outside of classes, [or] even in them.” Undoubtedly, it’s true that since the mask mandate has been implemented ‘chin strapping’ has been commonplace. Teachers are not required to wear a mask, and students are permitted to take them off during presentations, as well as to eat and drink. In an interview with the Globe and Mail following last year’s outbreak on campus, President Andy Hakin blamed this last rule on the rapid spread of the virus, calling it a “grey area.” 

Juliette and Alex, along with others interviewed, believe that the decision to mask shouldn’t be school policy but instead left up to teachers to decide the rules for their classroom. Alex believes that “as long as there is not another covid outbreak” there’s no need for mandatory masking, but “it’s important to monitor the situation.” He commended StFX for making access to rapid Covid test kits free and easily accessible at Bloomfield.