On September 26, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida, marking the start of its deadly run through Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky.
>> read more on page 03
CULTURE CORNER DEATH BY STREAMING
Turmeric, or haldi, as it is commonly known in North India, has been an integral part of Indian culture and tradition since the Vedic period (1750-500 BCE). Haldi is incorporated in almost every part of Indian culture and is used for cooking, beauty treatments, Ayurvedic medicines, and even in weddings.
>> read more on page 05
It’s October folks, which means that whether you’re getting ready to indulge in the latest monster mashes for Halloween or escaping the hell that is midterms, you should theoretically be parking yourself on the couch to binge your TV shows of choice on whichever streaming service you’ve sold your soul to.
>> read more on page 10
Anyone can make a difference through charitable acts. Whether its donating old clothes or volunteering at a food drive, any bit of help can make a difference in people’s lives. But eating cheeseballs in front of hundreds of New Yorkers wasn’t what I was expecting when I thought of charity.
>> continues on page 06
On September 20, the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) opened its doors to the New Science Building (NSB). With an initial projected cost of C$152.9 million, the four-story and 15,550 square-metre research facility will help support numerous key academic pursuits for students at UTM.
>> Continues on page 02
The University of Toronto Mississauga’s (UTM) Career Centre is manned by an exceptional team of hardworking humans and one adorable dog. Dino, pronounced dee-no, is a mixed-breed rescue dog from Antigua and is a licensed assisted therapy dog with Lifeline Canada.
>> Continues on page 07
Michael Christie’s Greenwood is a multifocal, multitemporal masterpiece brimming with complex characters and their intricate relationships with a resilient yet ravaged natural world. The novel begins in a dystopian future populated by “climate refugees” and marked by a horrifying absence of the natural world.
>> Continues on page 09
Alejandro Rodriguez Contributor
On October 2, UTM’s Department of Recreation Athletics and Wellness (DRAW) hosted an exhibition game between the women’s varsity teams of the McMaster Marauders and the University of Toronto Varsity Blues. Fans filled the bleachers at the chance to watch varsity basketball return to UTM’s gym.
>> Continues on page 12
Erin Sauvé Contributor
Massimo Bozzo Contributor
Avneet Kaur Contributor
Illustration credit: Buket S. Baykal
Ramiya Sureshkumar Contributor
02 NEWS
“There is only one solution, it’s the student revolution,” UTM students participate in peaceful protest in solidary with Palestinians
UTM students gather in a peaceful protest and walk out in recognition of Palestinian resilience and resistance, joining a global wave of protests to address Western complicity in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Mashiyat Ahmed Opinion Editor
On October 7, students at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) participated in a public walkout on campus to demand action against the university. According to an Instagram post by the UTM Student Union (UTMSU), the walkout was in “protest [of] the University’s complicity amidst escalating attacks and imperial violence by the Israeli government.”
In the same post, UTMSU shared a code of conduct for participants to follow for the peaceful protest. The code of conduct asked participants to respect the rights and opinions of others, bring banners and slogans, gather in a peaceful assembly, stay non-confrontational, cooperate with law enforcement, uphold university values, and report violations of the code if any occur.
The march started at the UTM Student Center and carried on through campus as students chanted slogans accusing the University of Toronto (U of T) of “funding a genocide.” During the march, students condemned the Israel-Hamas war, which took
the lives of more than 42,000 people in Palestine, including more than 16,000 children, according to statistics from Al Jazeera
In collaboration with UTM’s Association of Palestinian Students, UTMSU hosted Keffiyeh week from October 7 to October 11, where students wore Keffiyehs to stand in solidarity with Palestinians.
October 7 marks one year since Hamas-led Palestinian armed groups carried out attacks, including on civilian residential communities, social events and Israeli military bases in the area of southern Israel bordering the Gaza Strip. According to Human Rights Watch, 1,195 people were killed as a result of the attacks. As of October 7 this year, the US Department of State estimated that 101 hostages that were taken last year remain in Gaza, including seven Americans.
Since then, it has been one year since Israel launched a vigorous bombing campaign on Gaza, leaving Palestinians battling genocide while being deprived of necessities, including food and water. Of the lives that were killed, 69 per cent of the victims were children and women.
At the march, students waved Palestinian flags and held cardboard signs with slogans like “drop fees, not bombs,” etched in
bright red ink. Students also chanted various phrases, including “no tuition for destruction,” “resistance is justified when people are occupied,” and “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free, even here at U of T.”
The march went on to the Maanjiwe Nendamowinan and Davis buildings. Outside the Instructional Building, as a crowd of bystanders and onlookers watched attentively, march organizers and speakers delivered speeches on the history of U of T students protesting human rights abuses. They highlighted notable moments of student activism, including resistance to the Vietnam War and opposition to racial and social apartheid in South Africa.
UTMSU President Joelle Salsa was also present at the march and even referenced the unified struggle of all oppressed people while emphasizing imperial violence as the common root of oppression and suffering.
Students at the march also accused the U of T leadership— namely President Meric Gertler and UTM Principal Alexandra Gillespie—of suppressing free speech to “protect Zionism” and deflect criticism of Israel’s genocidal activities. These same concerns were echoed in the Peoples’ Circle for Palestine, a U of T students-led encampment that calls for significant measures toward increasing institutional transparency and financial divestment.
UTM and UTSC welcome major new facility developments
UTM’s New Science Building will serve its progress in the life sciences while UTSC has secured a hefty donation for its new medical school building.
Erin Sauvé Contributor
On September 20, the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) opened its doors to the New Science Building (NSB). With an initial projected cost of C$152.9 million, the four-story and 15,550 square-metre research facility will help support numerous key academic pursuits for students at UTM.
With brand-new, state-of-the-art wet labs, the NSB has met an urgent need for advanced research facilities with the new highperformance computing data centre. It also features 90,000 square feet of lab space along with fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, micro MRI and CT imagers, and 500 animal cages.
The building will be the new home of the Centre for Medicinal Chemistry (CMC)—a space that will focus on the development of new drugs and the optimization of the drug development process. The CMC is projected to expand its staff, estimated to grow by 130 students, research associates and post-doctoral fellows.
NSB will also house UTM’s forensic science program and the University of Toronto’s (U of T) first wet lab incubator—SpinUp—which answers the demand for accessible and affordable wet lab spaces that start-up founders in the life sciences can use to develop their ideas to attract investment.
Even while housing copious facilities and data centres, the NSB prioritized sustainability by using 65 per cent less energy than buildings of comparable size and function.
Using geothermal and solar energy, heat pumps, rainwater reclamation, and a green roof, the building is on track to receive a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification. The sustainability-conscious design of the building speaks to U of T’s strong commitment to sustainability— which has landed it the title of 2024’s most sustainable university in the world with an overall score of 100.
Unfolding more change and development next door
U of T Scarborough (UTSC) received a C$25 million donation to construct a state-of-the-art building for the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health (SAMIH).
Projected to open in 2026, the building—which will be named
the Myron and Berna Garron Health Sciences Complex in honour of its donors—will house the first medical school in the Eastern Greater Toronto Area and serve as a hub for undergraduate students in the health sciences at UTSC.
The facility is expected to serve 160 medical students and 252 medical auxiliaries and will feature educational programming run by U of T’s faculty of medicine, nursing and pharmacy. The building will also feature a clinical skill lab, 10 instructional labs, and teaching clinics for the public.
SAMIH was also made possible by the Government of Ontario’s efforts to address the province’s shortage of doctors and other medical professionals by expanding its medical school system.
Developing UTSC’s medical program is expected to not only produce more medical professionals but also to retain and attract such individuals to the Scarborough region, which has the second-lowest number of family physicians per capita in Ontario in 2023.
Both the NSB and SAMIH are results of U of T’s Defy Gravity campaign, which seeks to engage 225,000 of the institution’s alumni to raise C$4 billion—a record Canadian fundraising goal to improve its research capabilities, bolster its commitment to inclusivity and sustainability, and respond to the most pressing issues of today.
The progress of the NSB and SAMIH speaks to the success and effectiveness of the campaign and points to the expectation of future successes in establishing U of T as an academic powerhouse on the global level.
Photo credit: Sara Li
Photo credit: Mashiyat Ahmed
Hurricane Helene devastates the southeastern US
The category four hurricane brought with it record rainfall and flooding, leaving many residents without power and running water.
Samuel Kamalendran News Editor
On September 26, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida, marking the start of its deadly run through Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky. By September 29, the storm had become the seconddeadliest mainland US hurricane since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Compared to a 1,800 death toll, Hurricane Helene claimed the lives of 230 people across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. More than half of the death toll was in North Carolina, leaving entire communities to be uprooted and devastated by the storm’s impacts. The economic impact of the storm, including property and infrastructure damage, is estimated to be as high as C$200 billion—marking it the costliest storm in US history.
A category four hurricane, Helene measured nearly 650 kilometres across and initially travelled at wind speeds of around 225 kilometres per hour before reducing to nearly 50 kilometres per hour as it travelled northward.
The hurricane brought rainfall, storm surges, powerful winds, and flooding to the southeastern US, which swept away coastal communities, fell trees, and wiped away power lines. The hurricane damaged key infrastructure, leaving approximately four
million people without power and tens of thousands without running water.
In Florida’s Big Bend region, Helene brought a storm surge which peaked at 15 feet—marking it the region’s highest recorded surge.
In Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee and Virginia, Helene caused record rainfall, which caused rivers to overflow, resulting in significant flooding, washing out roads and downing power lines. North Carolina saw the technical closure of all roads in its western region due to flooding, damage, and debris.
In North Carolina, searchand-rescue teams rescued, evacuated and assisted a total of 6,586 people. More than 1,600 responders were deployed, with local and state authorities receiving support from 2,700 members of the North Carolina National Guard and US military.
On October 2, President Joe Biden started a tour of the affected states, including Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas. In a public statement published on the White House website, President Biden assured readers that the US stands with those affected, “We’re not leaving until you’re back on your feet completely.”
As of October 9, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) response to Helene exceeds C$344 million and has reached 375,000 households. So far, FEMA has distributed over 17 million meals, nearly 14 million litres of water, and 210 generators to affected communities. Hurricane victims can also apply for federal assistance through FEMA, which can include funds for necessities and repair-related costs.
Helene’s rapid development and intensity are considered to be proof of climate change’s impact on hurricane power, according to climate scientists, as research shows that the Gulf of Mexico has warmed at twice the rate of the oceans. Such heat in the region enabled Helene’s hasty growth and resulted in the hurricane storing up to 151 trillion litres of rain, which was eventually dumped over the US mainland.
Even with the worst of Hurricane Helene in the rear-view mirror, the southeastern US faces a potentially more fearsome foe in Hurricane Milton, which made landfall in Florida on October 9 and has fluctuated between Categories three, four and five.
President Biden also promised that the federal government would cover 100 per cent of debris removal costs for six months.
At the same time, Vice-President Kamala Harris toured Georgia, where she was briefed by local officials and stated that the government would be there “for the long haul.”
As of October 10, 10 deaths have been reported and over 3.3 million Florida residents lack power. Officials have warned that 11 million people are at risk of flash floods after certain regions received once-in-a-millennia amounts.
Before Milton’s landfall on October 8, Tampa Bay Mayor Jane Castor warned residents, “If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you’re going to die.”
How Canadians observed Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation this year
Attendees wore orange and gathered in Parliament Hill as well as U of T’s Hart House to commemorate the lives lost at the hands of Canada’s residential school system as well as those who never returned.
Celesta Maniatogianni Staff Writer
Each year on September 30, Canadians observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation— which honours survivors of Canada’s residential schools, children who never returned home and their families and communities.
Every year, Canadians dress in orange—also marking this day as Orange Shirt Day—to raise awareness of the generational impacts of the residential school system in Canada.
According to the Government of Canada’s website, “The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and selfesteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.” According to the page, the day also aims to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters.”
A day of remembrance
This year, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation marks the fourth year since it was designated as a federal statutory holiday. Various institutions this year honoured the day through celebrations and ceremonies.
On September 30, thousands of people in downtown Ottawa gathered in place of Parliament Hill in a national ceremony where they heard from First Nations, Métis and Inuit survivors of these schools. Throughout the ceremony, musicians and other performers took the stage on Parliament Hill’s front lawn while the crowd passed around a “memorial cloth” that featured the names of the 150,000 children who were forced to attend these residential schools. Attendees also placed children’s shoes around the stage in memory of the victims of residential schools. Many attendees wore ribbon skirts and orange shirts at the ceremony.
The University of Toronto (U of T) community also commemorated Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in a tri-campus event held at Hart House on the St. George campus. The event was also streamed live on YouTube for those not able to attend. The event featured keynote speaker
In her speech, Cheechoo recounted her story and the abuse she endured in the residential school system. She encouraged listeners to refer to those who survived the system as “residential school warriors” to empower children and communities who have survived across the country.
Attendees of the event also heard from U of T President Meric Gertler and William Gough, acting vice-president of U of T and acting principal of U of T’s Scarborough campus.
In his address, President Gertler stated that the U of T community is committed to advancing reconciliation across all three campuses—specifically through expanding the presence of Indigenous students, staff and faculty, incorporating Indigenous content into the university’s curriculum, supporting Indigenous research programs, and creating physical spaces that honour Indigenous histories and traditions.
U of T Chancellor Wes Hall delivered his closing remarks at the event and encouraged attendees to continue sharing their stories to ensure history does not repeat itself.
Following the ceremony, a sacred fire was lit for U of T community members at Ziibiing— a newly opened Indigenous landscape project near Hart House.
On September 30, flags were also lowered to half-mast across U of T’s three campuses to honour the day.
The lasting scars of residential schools
Inspired by residential school survivor and member of the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation, Phyllis Webstad, who had her new orange shirt taken away on her first day at a residential school and replaced with a school uniform, orange shirts became the symbol of Orange Shirt Day. The day is used as an opportunity for participants to raise awareness about the ongoing fallout of residential school systems and honour experiences like Phyllis Webstad’s.
Numerous survivors have shared their stories of attending residential schools, recounting the abuse they endured. More than 150,000 children were forced into these schools and approximately 6,000 children died while attending, most of them from malnutrition or disease. However, experts believe the death toll may be higher.
Shirley Cheechoo—a Cree actor, artist, filmmaker and founder of the Weengushk Film Institute.
Photo credit: Sara Li
Illustration credit: Buket S. Baykal
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Cultural relativism and human rights
How can cultural relativism be reconciled by the notion of universal rights?
Mariana Dominguez Rodriguez Contributor
As an undergraduate student, the complexities of human rights and morality are a growing factor in my personal, educational, and professional growth. Can human rights ever be universal? The idea seems undeniably appealing. After all, everyone’s rights should be expressed and treated equally regardless of cultural or background context. However, notions of cultural relativism warrant a deeper, more nuanced conversation on the state of human rights in today’s society, especially considering current global events that complicate the ideals of a universal rights application.
Let’s first define what human rights are. They are usually known as the rights and freedoms which are given to people simply for being human. More technically, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), an international document and monumental achievement of the United Nations, declares the rights—such as safety, security, freedom, and expression—that every person is entitled to. Yet, these rights are precariously applied due to the different political, social, and cultural frameworks of each nation, bringing into question how human rights are selectively applied to certain demographics. There are many instances in which the specificity of culture and cultural preservation come into conflict with the universality of human rights. Nuances that inevitably emerge are hard to settle because the lines separating genuine cultural beliefs and oppressive ideologies are blurry and impede upon the cultural sensitivities of its people.
Not long ago the discovery of the unmarked graves across Indigenous territory and the horrors of residential schools sparked notable debates over the righteousness of Indigenous treatment and solidarity. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which recently passed, highlights the importance of recognizing and standing for Indigenous cultural activism, which arguably prevails over other Western values in other parts of the world.
In Canada, for instance, public protests are allowed because of the right to express freely and have mobilized political action. This is a right Canadians enjoy, but other countries have different attitudes towards freedom of expression, and even prohibit expression to protect social and political harmony or protecting religious beliefs.
Cultural relativism may argue that these restrictions are put in place to demand societal order in cultural contexts. But is it justifiable to silence the freedom of expression against, say, oppression?
In many Western countries, gender equality is considered a fundamental right. Other cultures impose social norms, such as denying women work or assigning them specific traditional gender roles, as a way of maintaining social cohesion. This denies certain groups of rights that Canadians readily take for granted. The clash, however, is that cultural relativism may argue that forcing the gender equality norms and freedoms in Western countries upon other cultural contexts is a form of colonialism, deprecating the societal and cultural standards of a nation that does not fit into Western definitions.
In these contexts, cultural relativism shifts between being a tool for cultural emphasis and a barrier to social justice. The pursuit of universal rights is not meant to take away from cultural identities but instead encourage the dignity of individual expression. Social media can impact all media platforms and physical movements as well as the ongoing effort to promote discussion and community in local environments. By fostering dialogue, respecting local and global cultural contexts, and emphasizing the rights to individual betterment, the understanding of moral universality and diversity is attainable.
Illustration credit: Ramiya Sureshkumar
Gen Z’s passion for mental health is not reflected in the rising popularity of vaping
As new generations emerge, youth culture experiences a significant transformation.
As Gen Z, I’ve often heard some people mention that we are a more “mindful” generation, unafraid to speak our minds yet careful to remain polite to others. On the other hand, others refer to us as “sensitive,” and that we are quick to complain about trivial matters. One of those matters is the topic of mental health.
However, once faced with facts, the discussion about mental health does not only become necessary, but it also becomes a vital need. According to one study, “only 41% of Gen Z members aged 18 to 26 are thriving, while millennials at the same age are thriving at a rate of about 60%”. That is more than half of a whole generation feeling stuck and unprepared for the future, with the majority of Gen Z describing their mental and emotional wellbeing as “poor.” So, how do we deal with this?
Compared to the previous generation, “help” does not come in the shape of a beer bottle. Over the past few years, as discussions around mental health are prioritized, the concept of “mindful drinking” has pervaded the consciousness of many, reflecting a higher demand for non-alcoholic drinks. Could this be why Gen Z chooses to refrain from drinking?
On the other hand, that mindfulness also impacts people in a negative way. While the use of tobacco is controversial, a study found that there is an increase in vaping among 18-24 year olds, even if they have not smoked before. It is interesting to note that vape (and e-nicotine) products were created in China in 2003 to be a healthier alternative for regular smoking or those looking to quit, but it has now become a trendy alternative for those with no previous smoking experience at all.
Now Gen-Z are choosing to vape to relax rather than drinking alcohol or smoking. Vaping and
e-juices are surrounded with the aura of a “healthier alternative”, which perhaps makes it easier for Gen Z to deflect the consequences of vaping . As such, vaping has become more accepted socially. Even I remember students at my high school vaping in the hallways or bathrooms, while tobacco was considered more “shocking.”
Vapes come in different flavors, cute packaging, and a promise of being healthy, contributing to its temptation. So, it’s not surprising when research confirms that, in 2011, only 1.5% of high schoolers admitted to smoking an e-cigarette, while that number jumped to 27.5 % in 2019. What’s more is that the longer someone vapes, the more likely they are to shift to smoking regular cigarettes, which is terribly ironic considering the initial purpose of vapes to reduce nicotine inclinations.
How is it that Gen Z, a generation recognized for its focus on mental health awareness and having the highest sobriety rates to date, is experiencing such a rise in vaping? I believe it relates back to our focus on mental health: the desire to take care of ourselves (both mentally and physically) while not repeating the mistakes of the past could become our hubris, and the healthier appeal of vapes makes it easy to do just that.
The world is busier and more complicated than ever, and the interconnectedness fostered through globalization and social media ensures that we know exactly what’s happening halfway across the world. This, in addition to the recent financial insecurities that our generation faces, seems to be taking a toll on people mentally. So, while outright drinking is decreasing, the need to escape, cope, and deflect our stress is a defining and timeless impulse that the rising popularity of vapes accounts for.
I worry that despite our passionate culture of mental health, we still have a lot of work to do when it comes to cultivating more mindful and sustainable alternatives to coping with stress. It may seem vaping is a healthier alternative, but in my opinion, its widespread use in the future may amount to the same substance issues that have marred previous generations, defeating its initial purpose and opening up new avenues for addiction and deteriorating mental health.
So, while Gen Z has come farther than previous generations when talking about and validating mental health, we must keep in mind that vaping is a “healthier alternative”, but it does not make it healthy in the first place. It’s not enough just to repackage and rebrand alternatives that end up perpetuating similar harms.
Exploring the ceremonial significance of Haldi in Indian culture.
Turmeric, or haldi, as it is commonly known in North India, has been an integral part of Indian culture and tradition since the Vedic period (1750500 BCE). Haldi is incorporated in almost every part of Indian culture and is used for cooking, beauty treatments, Ayurvedic medicines, and even in weddings.
The haldi ceremony, a quintessential part of Indian weddings, typically takes place the day before the wedding. It involves making a thick paste made of haldi powder, sandalwood, rose water, milk, and gram flour. This paste is then applied to the face, neck, arms, legs and feet of the bride and groom by their relatives and close friends.
Haldi is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and is meant to give a ‘divine glow’ to the engaged couple, as well as soothe their nerves before the wedding. Haldi’s bright yellow color is seen as auspicious, and this application of haldi paste signifies giving blessings to the soon-to-be-married couple and wishing them a prosperous life together. One of the main reasons the haldi ceremony takes place is the belief that by
applying the haldi paste, the bride and groom will be protected from buri Nazar or ‘evil eye’. It is also common for some of the leftover haldi to be applied by the engaged couple to their single and unmarried friends and family, as it is said that the ‘mystical powers’ of the haldi will usher in everlasting, true love for the person who uses it. After the haldi ceremony is concluded, the bride and groom are usually made to stay in the house until the wedding ceremony, to ensure the prevention of evil spirits.
During the British Raj, however, all traditions of this sort were looked down upon and discouraged, as they were not the ‘British way’ and seen as uncivilized. The effects of colonization are still felt today, as colorism is deep seated in Indian society and fairer skin is more desirable than darker skin. As such, haldi is a common ingredient in ancient Indian beauty secrets and hacks to brighten and lighten skin tone, one that is still being used today. Although my country is evolving and such views are diminishing, there is no denying that, in many parts of India, haldi is still pushed as a solution to achieving lighter skin. However, it is encouraging to know that haldi ceremonies have less to do with skin color and more to do with age-old traditions, taking its form as a fun and healing pre wedding ritual. Haldi should be a way to tural unity and pride, not to distance ourselves from any signifiers of our “Indian-ness,” such as a darker complexion.
As diasporan Indians, we should endeavor to preserve the sen timents of our cul ture that before the ills of colonization.
Milica Samardzic Contributor
Jia Bawa Contributor
Illustration credit: Buket S. Baykal
Photo credit: Sara Li
From Cheeseballs to Charity
Using Internet Virality for Good.
Massimo Bozzo Contributor
Illustration credit: Buket S. Baykal
Meeting Dino, UTM’s licensed therapy dog
Whether you’re stopping by for career advice, looking to unwind, or both, Dino is ready to greet you with his welcoming energy at the UTM Career Centre.
The University of Toronto Mississauga’s (UTM) Career Centre is manned by an exceptional team of hardworking humans and one adorable dog.
Dino, pronounced dee-no, is a mixed-breed rescue dog from Antigua and is a licensed assisted therapy dog with Lifeline Canada. With his owner, April, Dino works as a therapy dog at UTM’s Career Centre. In an interview with April and Dino, we explore how Dino assists students and visitors at the Career Centre.
A bonfire of positivity, warmth, and joy
According to Better Cities for Pets, a program dedicated to helping cities become more pet-friendly, 57 per cent of participants in a survey said having dogs at work relieves anxiety and stress. Dino echoes these statistics by working hard to provide students with a safe space to visit and talk.
One of Dino’s jobs includes helping April with what is known as “Gentle Career Counselling.” Rather than focusing only on career-related stress, this type of counselling invites students to share memories and insights about their lives.
Dino is also available for one-on-one appointments for students who prefer a private conversation. Instead of engaging in what might be an uncomfortable and scripted conversation for some students, Dino offers a relaxed, one-on-one environment where they can feel at ease and open up more naturally.
Beyond helping students relax, Dino plays a key role in fostering growth within the UTM community. As students come to meet Dino, they also meet other students and staff at the Career Centre, where they gradually learn more about what the centre has to offer and the resources available while befriending fellow students. Slowly but surely, students can make new connections and build a better support system for themselves, thanks to Dino.
Life as a working dog
Although he is cute, Dino is still a working dog. Before working as a therapy dog, Dino underwent extensive training.
Before becoming a therapy dog, every dog in training goes through various sets of temperament tests. Dino was taught many things, including becoming desensitized to actions like dropping food on the ground. The more desensitized he becomes to different things, the less reactive Dino is and the more calm he will be around humans.
Before becoming a therapy dog, every dog in training goes through various sets of temperament tests. Dino was taught many things, including becoming desensitized to actions like dropping food on the ground.
The more desensitized he becomes to different things, the less reactive Dino is and the more calm he will be around humans.
Every week, Dino and April also hold drop-in sessions called “Paws & Unwind with Dino.” These sessions are an open space where students can ask about career planning while unwinding in a safe space and, most importantly—playing with Dino. During these sessions, participants are seated on the ground while Dino can roam wherever he wants.
April shared that students are sometimes hesitant to ask questions and often think they need to have a problem before asking for help, but that is not the case. In times of hesitation or awkward silence, Dino fills in the gaps and helps students feel more welcomed and engaged.
According to April, the students love Dino. April mentioned that some students even compared Dino to “a bonfire that fills you with positivity, warmth and joy.”
Like us humans, Dino also has some trouble managing his work-life balance. Similar to how our energy is down at the end of a long day, Dino’s social battery drains after a full day at work. April incorporates breaks into these workdays so Dino can destress and preserve his energy.
April also works hard to help Dino by creating a routine for him. Every day, April parks in the same spot, walks down the same road, and takes the same elevator. Not only does this help Dino acclimate to his environment, but it has also been a building block in April’s and Dino’s relationship.
“Dino is also my personal therapy dog and emotional support, he’s like a wingman who is always there for cuddles and a hug,” April shared.
On his days off, April revealed that Dino can be very lazy—he sleeps in on the weekends and indulges in late-morning walks. Although Dino is obedient at work, April shared that he can also be a tad mischievous at home. His favourite toy, according to April, is any stuffed toy in which its stuffing he can rip apart.
If you want to visit Dino, make sure to stop by the Career Centre located in the Student Services Hub on the first floor of the William G. Davis Building. Dino’s next drop-in session of “Paws & Unwind” will take place on October 15 at 11:30 a.m. where he will be ready to greet you with his infectious warmth and gentle spirit.
Avneet Kaur Contributor
Photo credit: Sara Li
The cost of always saying yes
People-pleasers can suffer negative physical and mental health consequences when
they feel they have failed to satisfy someone else.
Maram Qarmout Contributor
Are you someone who has a difficult time saying no? Do you agree to things when you don’t want to? Do you shoulder the blame when it’s not your fault? If you answer yes to these three questions, then you might be a people-pleaser.
According to a Verywell Mind article, people-pleasing is closely tied to a personality trait called “sociotropy.” Sociology is when a person feels overly concerned with pleasing people and gaining their approval to maintain relationships with others. This personality trait can lead to many effects, including anger and frustration, anxiety and stress, and weaker relationships.
Why people become people-pleasers
There are various reasons why people exhibit sociotropy. Sometimes, what is learned in childhood can carry on into one’s adulthood. According to a 2019 article by Dr. Liddy Carver, a counsellor and trauma therapist, “In infancy, we learn that to earn the love and affection of our caregivers, we need to act in ways that are rewarded. For example, cute smiles and giggles often result in cuddles and affection from our parents.” Some people carry on these learned behaviours in favour of others to get what they want, while others keep them even if it is no longer in their best interest.
“If you are a people pleaser, you might want your friends and family to be happy all the time, but always putting others’ emotional happiness before your own can
be detrimental [to] your mental health,” stated Dr. Carver in the article.
The Verywell Mind article highlights several additional factors that contribute to people-pleasing behaviour, including low self-esteem, insecurity, perfectionism, and challenging or traumatic past experiences.
The article states that peoplepleasers often lack self-confidence and seek external validation, believing that by catering to others’ needs, they will gain approval and acceptance. For instance, if paired up in group projects with friends, peo ple-pleasers will finish their friend’s assignments in ad dition to their own—not because they want to, but because they fear their friends will leave them if they don’t.
Other people-pleasers be come this way due to painful experiences they have en dured. Specifically, people who have experienced abuse will try to please others to avoid facing further abuse or trigger ing abusive behaviour in others. For instance, a child who may have faced abuse after having a bad grade in school will attempt to achieve high marks to avoid triggering abusive patterns of those who abused them.
their own emotions and needs. This creates a cycle where they suppress their own desires and prioritize others in everything they
Sacrifices of pleasing others
According to an article published in the Indianapolis Business Journal, “The moment we forsake our own voice, opinion or sense of self to please someone else is the point when being a people pleaser turns from strength to pitfall. It’s the moment we trade in our authenticity for likability, our creativity for consensus, and our convictions for harmony.”
When people-pleasers sacrifice their wellbeing for the happiness of others, they neglect
Dr. Carver stated in her article, “Because it’s become your mission to put others before you when someone isn’t happy it can feel like a personal failure. The extra stress created from this can have a detrimental effect on your mental and physical health.”
People-pleasing can have a huge impact on one’s mental health, as keeping others happy can stretch a person’s own physical and mental resources too thin. Trying to manage this routine can cause stress and anxiety for those who are people-pleasers.
Steps toward positive change
Despite the costs and challenges of peoplepleasing, people-pleasers can still achieve
happiness. Though it may be hard, there are ways to break free from the cycle of sacrifices. Like any other challenge to overcome, it is important to start small and be consistent with the healthy changes you make.
According to the Verywell Mind article, it is important to start saying no to smaller requests and to try expressing your opinion about something. Taking baby steps is important and can eventually lead to bigger change.
Positive self-talk is another way to break the cycle. Remind yourself that you deserve time for yourself and that your goals are just as important as anyone else’s. Self-love is the key to many things, including breaking the pattern of people-pleasing.
Loving yourself first isn’t selfish—it’s a healthy foundation for truly being able to love and care for others effectively.
Illustration credit: Buket S. Baykal
Arts
Dendrology and deontology: A review of Michael Christie’s Greenwood
Michael Christie’s Greenwood is an ecocritical tour de force that challenges us to reconceptualize our notions of kinship and belonging while fostering a deeper empathy for fellow humans and the natural environment.
Ramiya Sureshkumar Contributor
Michael Christie’s Greenwood is a multifocal, multitemporal masterpiece brimming with complex characters and their intricate relationships with a resilient yet ravaged natural world. The novel begins in a dystopian future populated by “climate refugees” and marked by a horrifying absence of the natural world. Rather than tracing the events that led to this reality, the story focuses on the Greenwood family and the significant role that trees have played in their lives.
The Greenwoods are followed across generations—both in terms of familial lineage and historical time—through 2038, 2008, 2974, and 1908 (sequentially travelling down through generations and returning up to the present moment in 2038). As such, the narrative structure shatters the linearity of time, presenting the cyclical nature of history that continually influences each generation. By exploring the interconnections and interdependencies, not just across generations but between humans and trees, the novel affirms how our relational capacity extends beyond our species. Arguably, this encourages readers to think beyond the consumptive, exploitative capitalist culture we live in to envision a more sustainable future.
feel authentically real. Each character presents disparate views on living responsibly, not only with one another but also with the ecological
themselves unable to hate them. As a result, Christie’s novel exemplifies the power of literature as a tool to cultivate empathy.
Written in third-person omniscient narration, Greenwood is amongst many other dendrochronological narratives that focalize on multiple characters. What sets Christie’s novel apart is its refusal to “heroify” any character, instead portraying them with the nuanced complexity that makes them
and nonhuman world. The frustrating lack of communication between characters adds to the complexity of their relationships. These multidimensional characters make choices that can be exasperating, yet readers will find
Although the more ecocritical parts of the book certainly lament the destruction of trees, a significant aspect of the book focuses on the interpersonal. Specifically, the subjective experiences of alienation and belonging. Throughout the narrative, ideas of family and kinship are reconceptualized. Despite its trace through seeming ancestral lines, the story centres not on the genealogical family but instead on how bonds are created through chance encounters between strangers. As the novel best puts it, “Families are not born, they’re invented, pieced together from love and lies and nothing else.” Beyond this philosophical exploration of what constitutes “family,” the novel addresses a crucial moral question: should self-preservation ever take precedence over collective survival? Whether the novel provides a hopeful or definitive answer to this question is open to interpretation. Nevertheless, Greenwood remains a profoundly melancholic read that is essential for any literature enthusiast.
Dark academia: the birth of a niche aesthetic genre
From classic literature to modern obsession,
the enduring allure of dark stories continues to grow.
Laura Luasu-Ludiazo Contributor
Dark academia, a genre that has seen a surge in popularity, blends subcultures and aesthetics to create a unique literary experience. If you are anything like me and have never heard of this genre until last week, thinking it sounded like a new metal rock band, let me break it down for you.
The genre is centered on intellectual pursuits and set against the backdrop of elite academic environments, weaving ominous undertones throughout its narratives. It is characterized by its focus on scholarly pursuits, and a dark, gothic aesthetic. Imagine old libraries, grand architecture, and vintage clothing. Common themes include secret societies, academia, intellectualism, and the pursuit of knowledge. Dark academia draws inspiration from classic literature like Shakespeare, ancient Greek and Roman culture, and Gothic architecture.
The subculture’s roots originated from works such as Peter Weir’s 1989 film Dead Poets Society, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, and the cult favourite, The Secret History by Donna Tartt. I have not read the book personally, but the raving reviews and opposing opinions have piqued my interest so much that I purchased it on my Kindle. From the
first few pages,
very
version of Harry Potter, but without the magic.
One con that I can feel already is the everdooming existential crises. Many of the books described as “dark academia” do not fit into the aesthetic. The definition is quite broad, requiring only an academic setting and a dark undertone, making it quite easy for books to fit the criteria. Now, as it has gained popularity, the genre is not only a literary subculture but a whole aesthetic on social media platforms like Tumblr, Pinterest and TikTok.
That said, dark academia has its share of critics. Some argue that it promotes elitism and presents a narrow, Eurocentric view of education and culture. Additionally, the genre is frequently critiqued for a lack of diversity in its characters and settings.
As the genre continues to grow, new voices are emerging to challenge and expand its boundaries. For example, Leigh Bardugo’s Ninth House introduces elements of urban fantasy to dark academia, exploring themes of class and privilege through a supernatural lens. R.F. Kuang’s Babel takes a more historical approach to examining colonialism and language. Works like Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé’s Ace of Spades are introducing more diverse perspectives, addressing issues of race and identity within the dark academia framework.
Dark academia’s continuous evolution indicates the enduring allure of stories that mix cerebral pursuits with dark, mysterious undercurrents, which no doubt puts some of us in an eerie mood with the gloomy fall season approaching.
The Secret History gives a
much adult
Photo credit: Keira Johannson
Photo credit: Ramiya Sureshkumar
Death by streaming
The fall of good media and the rise of my temper.
Zainab Hassan Contributor
It’s October folks, which means that whether you’re getting ready to indulge in the latest monster mashes for Halloween or escaping the hell that is midterms, you should theoretically be parking yourself on the couch to binge your TV shows of choice on whichever streaming service you’ve sold your soul to. Theoretically. Because you see, while I’m all for a TV binge as much as the next person, it’s tough to put theory into practice when every show I find myself getting into gets cancelled less than two months after its release.
For those of you who don’t know, Kaos has officially been cancelled. This means that after only one season, as insanely good as it was, Kaos is now just one more show on a list of over 50 that have been cancelled this year. On the bright side, it’s not as bad as 2023 where approximately 85 different shows were cancelled across streaming services. Netflix alone cancelled 20. But hey, give it time. It’s only October, we could still catch up.
Why, though, do these streaming services seem like they are out to get us? We’re already paying them more than they are worth for a measly eight episodes of content. Which, for the record, is barely anything. I’m not one to bring up the “good old days,” but bingeing in the 2010s meant fitting six seasons of 24 40-minute-long episodes each into one month. At least. I finished Kaos in a single Saturday and still got all my chores done. So why the limited content and the even shorter lifespan?
Well, Netflix says money. Streaming services need a certain number of views to generate a certain amount of revenue per season. With the change in viewership patterns over the years, we now get shorter seasons that are easier to watch in one go so that they can keep our attention. You know, because corporations think we all have the memory of a goldfish and can’t possibly find things interesting for longer than three days.
Now, I think that the majority of streaming services are run by greedy, capitalistic, old men who break out into hives at the slightest hint of diversity (because, oh no, how dare we accurately represent all the wonderful, different types of people in society) and good storytelling (because oh no how dare we send out a message in our media that might critique society and encourage change for the better).
However, there is one factor that has almost single-handedly caused this shift in media production and consumption, and that’s COVID-19. See, during lockdown, we had absolutely nothing to do except watch TV, and streaming services provided what you wanted to watch on command and then some. So, we all bought our subscriptions and we binged all our favourite shows and then binged them again and then went and binged everything else that looked vaguely interesting. This made the streaming sites a whole lot of money, without having to spend it on things like marketing because we were doing the job for them. We were bored and mandated to stay inside the house, what else would we do? Go for a walk?
However, now we can go outside and go for walks, and instead of streaming sites adjusting to the “new,” they cancel shows that don’t get them the same statistics as during the lockdown. As a result, fewer people stream shows because they don’t want to get invested in one that could be cancelled at any moment. So, Netflix cancels it, perpetuating a never-ending cycle. And that is how capitalism is marching us to the death of good media.
That, of course, brings us to the question of whether anything can be done about it. Well, yes. You can write to company officials, send your discontent through the complaints section of the website, start petitions, speak about it on social media, and all sorts of other things. Or you could even take the drastic measure of cancelling your subscriptions in the hopes that it catches the company’s attention. Personally, I think pirate costumes are in every time of year. But I’ll leave that up to you.
Art is always more than what you see.
Kirsty Carnan Contributor
Art has always been and always will be a subjective craft. Whether you are making art or interpreting it, outcomes change relative to the person. Modern art is no stranger to criticism. The movement emerged in the late nineteenth century, driven by artists who decided to take a risk and create art against traditional ideals. Nowadays, the narrative of “I could make that” has surrounded how people criticize modern art. Especially with the access we have to art supplies and teachings, it’s true that you could make that. But would you make something like what you saw or something that is completely your own? How would you know the difference?
Looking at art is only half the effort one can make. The other half is getting context. Understanding the method to the madness is just as important because context not only informs you of how the artist made a piece but also what the artist was influenced or inspired by.
It’s easy to look at art and take it at face value, but I have found that learning the context of an artwork has made
me appreciate it more. The Art Gallery of Ontario’s (AGO) ongoing exhibition, Moments in Modernism, hosts artists such as Rita Letendre, Mark Rothko, and Gerhard Richter. Focusing on Rita Letendre’s works, we see great examples of abstraction. The exhibition’s wall text states how Letendre was enrolled in L’École des beaux-arts de Montréal, an art school in Quebec. However, she only remained at the school for 18 months as teachings were too rigid and conservative. Sparking her interest in visualizing emotion and spontaneity, she was tied to the Montreal-based “Automatistes,” an art movement that focused on letting the making process be controlled by the unconscious mind. Letendre once stated, “It seemed that I had something to say, an overpowering rage that nothing could hold back,” making it clear that she made these pieces from a place of personal adversity and emotion.
This gets me to my point: you may think you could make the artworks that hang in museums, and maybe you can. Maybe you went through the same experiences and feelings as the artist. However, the way you choose to represent those emotions is what truly sets your creations apart.
Art serves as a vessel for expression concerning topics such as political wrongdoings, the beauty of nature, scientific findings and innovation, joy and sorrow, and even imaginary fantastical beings. Art has been a method of recording life and sharing it. The “I could make that” mentality only reiterates this concept. If you, as the viewer, feel connected to an artwork, no matter how complex or simple, then art has been successful in recording life.
Photo credit: Yirui Gu
Photo credit: Kirsty Carnan
11 sports & health
Throwback: The history of professional sports at Varsity Stadium
In commemoration of Messi’s Inter Miami visiting UofT, we look at the other professional athletes that have spent time on campus.
Walid Dugmag Contributor
Last Saturday, I visited BMO Field for their penultimate regular-season MLS game against our Toronto Reds, where a late strike by Leonardo Campana, assisted by the legendary Luis Suarez, won Inter Miami the game and ended any hopes for TFC at the playoffs. Of course, it was Lionel Messi who stole the show despite only being on the pitch for 29 minutes. Many were eager to catch the Argentine legend in action, with a whopping 30, 217 fans nearly selling-out the 30,991-seat stadium. His brilliance in continuing to captivate casual spectators and seasoned fans had tickets selling for a minimum price of $245. However, some UofT students were able to catch glimpses of Inter Miami’s magic — not from the stadium, but from their classrooms.
Faded dream
With Inter Miami securing the Supporter’s Shield days before they clashed with TFC, their place in the playoffs was not vulnerable in the slightest. Contrarily, TFC entered the matchday sitting in 9th place, one spot shy of a post-season birth. With this loss, the Reds were eliminated from playoff contention, marking four years since TFC’s last playoff appearance, and five since their last MLS Cup final.
Visitors at Varsity Stadium
Though there was little to celebrate on the field, off it was a different story for UofT students!
Our facility at the St. George campus, Varsity Stadium, welcomed Inter Miami for their prematchday training session on the October 4. According to Inter Miami’s official social media platforms, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets did not attend team training.
Multiple images reportedly surfaced on X, but it was difficult to tell which other Miami stars were practicing at Varsity Stadium. However, this was not the first time professional athletes were reportedly seen at Varsity Stadium.
In 1986, a group of international friendly matches occurred before the World Cup in Mexico. One of these matches was Canada vs Wales. The nations played each other twice in the span of nine days—one in Toronto and the other in Vancouver. The Toronto fixture was played at Varsity Stadium, and the Canadians managed a 2-0 victory over the Welsh. A photograph of Canadian footballer, Paul James, and Welsh player, Neil Slatter, was taken at the stadium before their matchup.
In September 2023, Jimmy Butler, small forward for the NBA’s Miami Heat, visited Toronto during his off-season. He had been around the city to celebrate his birthday and to meet up with Toronto’s most famous celebrity, Drake. Butler was training at Drake’s private facilities to prepare for the start of the new NBA season, but was also spotted at Varsity Stadium working on his conditioning.
And of course, Inter Miami of the MLS attended their pre-matchday training session at Varsity Stadium. Regarding other soccer teams, there were a number of occasions where it was speculated that both the men’s and women’s Canadian national teams visited Varsity for training, but these were never documented.
As the winter season approaches, we are unlikely to see any outdoor professional athletes coming to visit. But when the new season begins, keep an eye out, because you never know which of your favourite athletes might be coming to UofT!
Editor | Joseph Falzata sports@themedium.ca
Eagles go winless in fourth matchweek
For the first time this season, neither team was able to secure a win at home.
Pietro Arrigoni Columnist
Both the Men’s and Women’s soccer teams dropped points against UTSG Blue this weekend in what is to be the last home game of the season.
Winning train comes to a halt
The Men’s team were on a hot run of form, having grabbed nine points from nine available and topping the standings as they prepared to take on UTSG Blue for the first time this season.
Blue came out strong with a well-organized game plan, and a general lack of focus and energy created a palpable feeling of uncertainty around the Eagles players. Nevertheless, they were able to grab an early lead, as Paul Doherty buried an early goal, scoring for the first time this season.
The Eagles failed to capitalize on a series of chances in the first half, but wasted chances opened the door for Blue to grow into the game and became ever more threatening.
The physical and scrappy feel of the game was unfamiliar from the Eagles’ usual possession playstyle. To begin the second half, Coach Szabi and Coach Iyambo decided to substitute in two UTM debutants, Siam and Aniel, hoping fresh legs would bring some much-needed energy into the game.
As chances piled up on both sides, it felt as though the game surely had one more goal in it. The question was: Which team was going to score?
Unfortunately for the Eagles, the answer was UTSG Blue, who capitalized with five minutes left after picking up a ball in the midfield and breaking on the counter, catching the Eagles’ midfield out of position.
Despite the complaints regarding a potential foul when the ball was won to start the attack, the goal decision was given, and the game went on to finish 1-1, as the Men’s failed to win for the first time this season.
A few weeks ago, Coach Iyamabo mentioned in an interview that the team needed to improve their game management. Conceding a late goal and dropping two points inevitably left a sour feeling within the UTM dressing room. Coach Iyamabo even referred to the game as a “frustrat-
ing performance,” but still claimed he had “full confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back strong against Scarborough next game.”
Women fall short once again
The Women’s team started the game on the front foot, looking for redemption after last week’s loss. They had several chances to break the deadlock early on, as Jordan Pawlowski and Jenna Schroder both attempted shots from a distance but were unable to find the back of the net.
The Eagles conceded after the first 15 minutes, with Blue going on to score twice more before the half ended, securing a healthy lead. UTM wasn’t able to respond effectively to Blue’s attacks, and couldn’t replicate the chances they had in the opening minutes.
The Eagles’ character stood out in the second half, as they held Blue down and defended valiantly in an effort to try and turn the game around. Led by defender Sierra Vaillancourt, UTM pushed forward in search of a goal.
Unfortunately for the women, their efforts were equally matched, and Blue was able to come away with a clean sheet and three points after securing a 4-0 scoreline with a later goal in the second half.
“The girls have the heart, they just need that last little push to achieve success,” said former goalkeeper and newly appointed coach, Mackenzie Kieswetter, after the match. The upcoming break will give the Eagles time to reset and work on their chemistry, while also giving time for key players to recover from injuries that have sidelined them for the past few weeks.
The Women will travel to UTSC looking to come away with points that they have been missing since the second matchday. The 8-2 win at home in the reverse fixture will give the girls lots of confidence going into the game, and hopefully they can turn it into a positive result.
It was a matchday that ended in embitterment. However, both teams are aiming to take this two week break to regroup and train hard in preparation for the penultimate game of the season— an important step in both teams’ journey.
The Men will try to secure a top seed spot should they be able to come away with three points, while the Women look to gather some points and momentum ahead of the playoffs.
Check-in in a couple weeks to find out how the Eagles do on the road!
Illustration credit: Buket S. Baykal
Varsity basketball comes to UTM
Despite the loss, there’s plenty for sports fans to celebrate, says RAWC
director
Alejandro Rodriguez Contributor
On October 2, UTM’s Department of Recreation Athletics and Wellness (DRAW) hosted an exhibition game between the women’s varsity teams of the McMaster Marauders and the University of Toronto Varsity Blues. Fans filled the bleachers at the chance to watch varsity basketball return to UTM’s gym.
UofT unable to win at home
McMaster quickly set the pace and took control of the game on both ends of the court. They held the Blues to 6 points in the first quarter, giving themselves a 21 point lead.
The U of T team showed real grit trying to bounce back in the second quarter with strong defensive efforts, allowing U of T’s top scorer, Thuraya Abdul Hamid, to get going offensively. Despite U of T holding McMaster to only 16 points in the second quarter, they ended the first half trailing 43-17.
Momentum was on McMaster’s side and they continued to dominate the rest of the game, out-scoring U of T in the third and fourth quarters 25-11 and 24-14 with Sofia Urosevic of the Marauders having great impact with 16 points off the bench.
These programs range from Tri-Campus competitive sport teams, intramurals, Learn to Play programs, and drop-in sports, all designed with inclusivity in mind. In addition, Erskine explained that specific offerings such as Women’s only Sport Drop-in and Intramural League play have been created to further enhance inclusivity, “providing a safe, positive, and fun environment for Women-identified students.”
The game concluded with a final score of 90-42, and the Marauders came out on top convincingly. However, the Varsity Blues will have plenty of opportunities to bounce back from their slow 0-2 start later in the season.
DRAW staff optimistic after loss
Even though it was not the result U of T students were hoping for, there are many positives to unpack from the game. Women’s sports are taking yet another leap this decade, with female college basketball drawing in a record breaking 24 million spectators during the NCAA final between Iowa and South Carolina, and household-name athletes like American gymnast Simone Biles and Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh dominating the 2024 Olympics.
The DRAW staff understand the importance of contributing to the growth of women’s sports, while promoting inclusivity in athletic events. In a brief interview regarding the game, Peter Mumford, Director of the Department of Recreation Athletics and Wellness, was asked about the impact of organizing events like the exhibition game.
“Women-identified programming and special events, such as the exhibition game between U of T and McMaster, highlight the importance of showcasing empowerment, sportship between players, and how identified women can be celebrated in sport,” said Mumford.
In fact, the department’s inclusion efforts extend far beyond gender or sex in sports. Peter went on to share how vitally important it is to foster inclusive environments where students, staff members, and even spectators have a sense of belonging and community.
“These are primary pillars of DRAW’s revised philosophy towards offering programs and services to students, staff, faculty, alumni and community,” added Mumford.
There is no question that the DRAW is actively working towards promoting inclusive environments in the university’s athletic events. Todd Erskine, Supervisor of Sports Programs, emphasized that the DRAW is constantly evolving to accomplish their inclusivity goals. “The DRAW has developed and implemented various Sport Programs for Women-identified students here at UTM that continue to evolve and be evaluated,” explained Erskine.
These programs range from Tri-Campus competitive sport teams, intramurals, Learn to Play programs, and drop-in sports, all designed with inclusivity in mind. In addition, Erskine explained that specific offerings such as Women’s only Sport Drop-in and Intramural League play have been created to further enhance inclusivity, “providing a safe, positive, and fun environment for Women-identified students.” Finally, he pointed out that the DRAW is committed to ongoing improvements, stating that “through staff training and professional development, we will continue to monitor and implement not only what we offer but how we offer it, striving for best practices in these sport offerings.”
If there is anything to take away from the game between McMaster and University of Toronto, it’s that the event extended past a game of basketball. The game was one of the many steps taken by UTM as an institution to promote growth for inclusivity in sports and support the growth of female athletes. Though the score may have been discouraging for U of T students, rest assured that there will be numerous opportunities for redemption as more steps are taken towards belonging and diversity.
