Vol. 56, Issue 11

Volume 56 - Issue 11 November 24, 2022 theeyeopener.com @theeyeopener Since 1967

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NEWS

Better late than never? TMU signs onto national agreement to combat anti-Black racism

By Edward Djan Content Warning: This story includes mentions of lynching and references to sexual assault As Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) signs onto a national agreement aimed at reducing antiBlack racism and improving diversity in post-secondary schools across Canada, Black students say the school needed to make those commitments sooner.

TMU announced earlier this month that President Mohamed Lachemi signed onto the Scarborough Charter in October. The Scarborough Charter is a document that outlines a national standard for addressing anti-Black racism and Black inclusion on the university campuses that sign onto it.

Over 20 post-secondary institutions across Canada first signed the charter back in 2021. TMU was not part of the inaugural group.

Nicole Agyenim Boateng, the codirector of outreach at the Black Collective at TMU, said she believes if the university wanted to at least agree on the actions in the charter sooner, they could have—seeing as they fought for other endeavours.

“I think that’s an excuse. The school has been fighting for a law school, they fought for a medical school—and they got a medical school—even though it is hard to do those things,” Boateng said.

The school said in an email to The Eyeopener that it did not sign on to the agreement back in 2021 under the leadership of the former vice-president equity, diversity and community inclusion, Denise O’Neil Green. Instead, TMU decided to hold consultations before signing on.

According to the university, the consultation found that the school should sign onto the charter alongside their Presidential Implementation Committee to Confront AntiBlack Racism (PICCABR) Action Plan 2022-2023. The PICCABR was formed to address the recommendations made in the university’s Anti-Black Racism Campus Climate Review Report, released in 2020. The report is meant to show the experience of the Black community on campus.

The school said waiting to sign the Charter until the Action Plan was completed would ensure it would be “demonstrating a tangible commitment to the principles of the Charter and providing an accountability framework to track, monitor and report on progress.”

The school has yet to release the Action Plan but added in their email that it “will be released soon along with a community update highlight-

ing the implementation progress of the recommendations and achievements to date.”

Chair of the inter-institutional advisory committee for the Scarborough Charter, Wisdom Tettey, who is also the principal at the University of Toronto Scarborough, said he’d rather TMU take its time to sign onto the charter than rush through the process and not make meaningful change.

“We don’t want institutions that are not ready and committed to just sign up for the sake of that. We want them to do the heavy lifting of demonstrating that this is something that they are committed to.”

The Charter was created after several post-secondary schools took part in a cross-country forum called National Dialogues and Action in October 2020.

The goal of the forum was to implement concrete ways for antiBlack racism and Black inclusion to be addressed at post-secondary schools across Canada. The Scarborough Charter was a result of the forum.

It requires actions by post-secondary schools in areas of governance, research, teaching and learning and community engagement. One of the actions of the Scarborough Charter is that post-secondary schools would provide anti-Black racism training to everyone on campus.

“We can’t be seeing these graphic images of ancestors and Black people dying” Boateng believes if faculty had antiBlack racism training, it would make classrooms more inclusive learning environments for Black students.

One experience she recalled was being in an American history class when her professor included graphic images of lynchings without including a trigger warning.

“I found that to be very traumatic being a Black student and I have to read that material in order to progress in the class,” said Boateng. She said she reached out to her professor and told them the content was not okay to add. “We can’t be seeing these graphic images of ancestors and Black people dying.”

Boateng said the professor did say they were working on adding trigger warnings but she’s still surprised that she had to explain to a faculty member how to make their class more sensitive to Black students.

“It’s shocking that you’d have to tell someone in the first place that you shouldn’t include lynchings in your lesson plan. We know what they are, you can describe them, you

Courtesy University of Toronto Scarborough

don’t have to include the photos.”

In response to The Eye’s request for comment regarding this alleged incident, the school said they were not aware of it. They pointed to their Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Policy and added that students who have concerns can reach out to the Office of Student Care and Human Rights Services.

Other actions in the Scarborough Charter include closing the wage discrimination gap and rethinking the role of campus security that takes into account the safety of Black people.

These two points are especially important to Boateng. While she empathizes with concerns students— especially those who are not Black— have about recent safety incidents on campus, she said if TMU genuinely wants to take steps toward making campus more inclusive for Black students, enforcement forces such as security should not exist.

“I recognize what recently happened in Kerr Hall, that people were signing that petition and they wanted campus safety, they wanted more police officers, they wanted the special constables back. I understand that is the reality,” said Boateng.

“As a woman, I get that. But as a Black woman, I understand that I’m doubly oppressed by those systems that are sought out to protect other women.”

The Scarborough Charter also emphasizes the collection of race-based data that tracks Black representation in post-secondary schools for students, faculty, staff and researchers.

According to the Canadian Arab Institute, out of the 76 universities in their 2019 policy brief, 63 universities could not provide race-based data.

Hellen Waigumo Gateri, an assistant professor at MacEwan University in Edmonton and a 1999 alumna from TMU’s social work program, said it’s important to have race-based data not just for representation purposes on campus but to ensure Black people are in positions of power in academia.

“Are [Black community mem-

bers] being hired as support staff or are we being hired as assistant professors or associate professors?”

Gateri said. “How many racialized people in academia do we have in management positions? Because that doesn’t get reported.”

According to a data visualization on TMU’s website, Black people in 2020 only represented seven per cent of the student population and only made up six per cent of the employee population.

Joshua Sealy-Harrington, an assistant professor at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law, said postsecondary schools shouldn’t only be hiring more Black faculty but also ensuring a diversity of thought.

“If you have an increase in Black or Indigenous faculty at a particular institution but with [a] very similar kind of pedagogy, politics or scholarship to faculty who are already there, I’d say one of the key objectives tethered to representation is not actually being fulfilled,” said Sealy-Harrington.

“I think both greater representation—different groups—but also the politics that emerge from the struggle participated in by those groups are very important.”

“It’s so much easier when there’s somebody guiding you and being a mentor. It’s so much better” Tettey also said while he believes the motives of his colleagues are well-intentioned, it’s important to have Black leaders like himself at decision tables because their lived experiences can help shape more equitable policies.

“It’s important that we have diversity around senior tables. I don’t think a lot of higher-ed leaders are necessarily antithetical to what we’re pushing here [with the Scarborough Charter]. But when you don’t live it, when you haven’t had that experience, it’s a different kind

of orientation that you bring to these issues.”

Another one of the actions in the Scarborough Charter is for post-secondary schools to create pathways for Black students that provide better access to post-secondary education.

Abdul Farah, a third-year nursing student, said he has felt welcomed studying at TMU as a Black student.

Farah immigrated from Somalia and said a barrier he faced was the lack of support whenever he needed help with his school work.

“My parents did not speak English.

I did not have anybody to help me out with homework. That was a very big barrier that I faced.” Farah said his friends who grew up here and had parents who spoke the language did not face the same struggles.

Farah believes if TMU did outreach programs as early as in middle school that target Black students from a young age to offer support with their school work, it could potentially increase the number of students from the community attending not only TMU but post-secondary schools across the country as well.

“When I help my nephew with homework, for example, it reminds me that I did not have anybody to help me. It’s so much easier when there’s somebody guiding you and being a mentor. It’s so much better,” said Farah.

“By the time you get to high school, it’s already kind’ve too late,” he said.

Farah said outreach programs that begin at a much earlier age can help support Black students in staying upto-date on school and progressing with a curriculum.

Gateri warned that in schools and programs where Black students do not see themselves represented, it’s harder for them to continue their education.

“When you don’t see people who look like you, it’s very, very, very, very hard for Black students to approach other students and to start forming those study groups,” she said.

NEWS

Will future nurses go rural? |

By Prapti Bamaniya

3 Here’s what TMU nursing students have to say about the new provincial tuition reimbursement program for rural relocation of Ontario,” he said. “They should probably reimburse if not all, [then] half of the nursing tuition for all the students that have been going to nursing school,” said Shepherd.

Shepherd also hopes to see the elimination of Bill 124, which imposes a hard cap of one per cent per year to wages and benefits for nurses and other health care professionals, according to the Ontario Nurses Association.

VANESSA KAUK/ THE EYEOPENER

While some Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) nursing students are considering relocating to rural parts of Ontario because of a new provincial tuition reimbursement program, others expressed that it has little impact on their future employment decisions.

Nursing graduates can receive up to full tuition reimbursement for a two-year commitment to work in an underserved community, as part of a recent expansion of the Community Commitment Program for Nurses (CCPN), according to its website.

The expansion, announced in March 2022, will run from 2022 to 2024, with up to 1,500 graduates eligible each year, the website states.

Funding for the expansion is provided by the Ontario government’s “Plan to Stay Open,” a set of initiatives which intends to expand healthcare policies and measures to better equip the province’s response to crisis.

“My life is here. I can’t imagine myself living in a smaller [city] no matter the incentive” The plan also includes the Ontario Learn and Stay grant—a tuition reimbursement program for up to 2,500 eligible students each year who enroll in a high-priority program in a high-priority community and commit to working in an underserved community for up to two years after graduation, according to the program’s website and press release.

Applications for the grant will begin in spring 2023 and the consultation process for the eligibility guidelines for programs and communities started this summer.

Tahera Sudha, an international TMU student in her first year of nursing, said she doesn’t mind travelling and would consider the program because of the heavy cost of her tuition.

“As an international student, I am open to travelling because I have already travelled miles to come here, so moving to the rural side is not a big deal,” she said. “We have to pay so much in fees, so if the government is paying the tuition, why not?”

International student tuition at TMU can range from $31,749 to $38,472, according to TMU’s website. Domestic tuition fees for students range from $7,050 to $11,986.

Fourth-year nursing student, Millisent Olanrewaju said she is willing to take a job anywhere post-graduation.

“My ideal situation after graduation would be finding a job; it doesn’t have to be in Toronto.”

However, the tuition program and the potential impact of working in a rural community gives her additional reasons to relocate.

“There is such an underservice of nurses in rural areas” If housing was reimbursed as part of the government’s new program, Abdella said she would consider the move.

“It would be a lot better if they were covering it; maybe I would go.”

Barakati said she thinks rural work experience should be a mandatory component of Canadian nursing education to help underserved communities.

“The money would help me,” she said. “I think [the program] will help the individuals who live in those communities, making healthcare more accessible. That’s also very appealing.”

Based on Ontario’s Rural, Remote and Northern Nursing Report in 2015, rural communities are those with smaller population sizes. The report defines a rural community as one that has “a population of less than 30,000 that [is] greater than 30 minutes away in travel time from a community with a population of more than 30,000.”

“We have to pay so much in fees, so if the government is paying the tuition, why not?”

Jasmine Zhang, a 2021 TMU nursing graduate, said she would not consider working in a rural community despite the incentive.

“It’s not worth it, even if I get reimbursed,” she said. “Of course, tuition is on my mind but it’s a high cost to put your whole life on pause just to go up there, even for two years.”

Samin Barakati, a fourth-year nursing student at TMU, said working in a rural community for two years would have a big impact on her life. She also said she has significant help with paying tuition from the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).

“Personally, it’s still a big decision to live in a rural area for that amount of time, so I would not apply,” she said.

Other nursing students said they aren’t willing to give up their attachments and relationships in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area.

“My life is here. I can’t imagine myself living in a smaller [city] no matter the incentive,” said Cheryl Kahandavitagamage, a third-year nursing student.

Nenna Abdella, another thirdyear nursing student, agreed. “I’m so used to my social network in the city that it would be hard to communicate [with] them if I were to move to a rural area for work.”

she said.

There are also disadvantages to the program, she added. “In rural areas, the work is often much more complex and challenging. It may force people who could not otherwise afford [tuition] into working environments where they might not have otherwise chosen to go.”

Matthew Shepherd, a fourthyear nursing student at TMU, said he would not apply to the program because he hopes to become a travel “It may open nursing school...to people who might nurse post-graduation.

“Why stay here, where we’re not not otherwise be able to getting paid enough, where we’re afford it” starting to get treated like shit, and the government isn’t helping us in The recruitment and retention of any way, shape or form when we nurses in rural, remote and north- can actually just leave and get paid ern areas of Ontario is difficult and 10 times more.” if left unresolved, these areas could face a human resource crisis, ac“Why stay here..where cording to a 2015 workplace report we’re starting to get from the Registered Nurses’ Assotreated like shit?” ciation of Ontario.

“Access to quality health care [is] a long-standing issue in these arTravel nurses are registered nurseas,” read the report. It added that es contracted through a healthcare mortality rates increase with the re- staffing agency who work in shortmoteness of a community. term roles at hospitals, clinics, and Corinne Hart, an associate pro- other healthcare facilities worldwide fessor of nursing at TMU, said to fill critical staffing needs, accordhealthcare quality in rural commu- ing to an article from The Journal of nities needs help. “There is such an Nursing Administration. underservice of nurses in rural arTravel nursing compensation is eas. There’s a real lack,” Hart added. higher than a permanent staff posi“I think probably in some of the tion. Its higher salary is commonly rural areas, nurses take on more and assumed to be the main attractor for more responsibility.” the profession, according to a FebruHart said the tuition reimburse- ary 2022 article in Nurse Leader, the ment program offers a chance to official journal of the American Orbenefit rural areas and makes nurs- ganization for Nursing Leadership. ing school more accessible to those Shepherd said the government with financial constraints. should do more to encourage nurses “It may open nursing school and to work throughout the province, the profession to people who might not just rural communities. not otherwise be able to afford it,” “We’re desperate for nurses in all

“It’s a high cost to put your whole life on pause just to go up there” “Especially since it’s getting worse and worse, it might be worth it to make it compulsory.”

She added, however, that a short work term in an underserved community doesn’t solve issues with medical care in those areas.

“Solving the problem is not necessarily just having someone there on a monthly basis,” she said.

“It’s a matter of continuity of care.

For example, you need a family doctor to take care of you for a number of years, not just months.”

Although some students don’t wish to work in rural communities long-term, they said they might still want a temporary experience.

“It would be great as a shortterm experience.” Zhang said. “What attracts me is basically just the idea of increasing your scope of practice, as well as gaining a lot of experience working with different populations and just taking on more autonomy and responsibility on your own.”

Barakati said she would consider working in a rural community in Ontario for her 12 week winter placement, even without an incentive.

“I just want to experience different environments, improve working conditions and my own understanding of working in these situations,” she said.

At the end of the day, Barakati just hopes rural communities get the support they need.

“At the back of everyone’s mind we know about the health disparity in remote communities and rural communities and they just need help.”

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ED & SPORTS

Editor-in-Chief Abeer “Swim Coach” Khan News Edward “Nemo” Djan Thea “Marlin” Gribilas Prapti “Dory” Bamaniya

Opportunity to host nationals ‘Once in a lifetime’ for Bold NATHAN GERSON/THE EYEOPENER

Photo Jes “COVID Balloon” Mason Vanessa “Crochet Beast” Kauk Peyton “Barrie Girl” Keeler-Cox Online Alexandra “Quick Hit Whore” Holyk Abby “Pita Land Lobbyist” Hughes Features Stephanie “Board Finder” Davoli Arts and Culture Madeline “EIC-To-Be” Liao Business and Technology Christina “TikTok Dance!” FloresChan Communities Asha “No Garlic” Swann Sports Gavin “Twitter Famous” Axelrod Jack “Fisherman” MacCool Fun and Satire Zarmminaa “Sweet Girl <3” Rehman Media Sonia “Circ Slay” Khurana Youdon “National Geo” Tenzin Web Nishil “Welcome” Kapadia Sam “Back!” Chowdhury General Manager Liane “Accounting Sux” McLarty Advertising Manager Chris “Good Morning!” Roberts Design Director J.D. “Rosa Supremacy” Mowat Contributors Jake “Green Thumb” MacAndrew Saif “Lifesaver” Khan Sam ‘Kelce Is HIM’ Beaudoin Matthew ‘Hype Man’ Lin Rob ‘Bold Live Tweeter’ Vona Todd ‘RT If…’ Ash-Duah Raphael ‘Office Tour’ Chahinian Julian ‘Spoken Rizz’ Bettencourt Konnor ‘Pitman Hall’ Killoran Haley “Fashion Icon” Sengsavanh Omar “EARTH DAY!” Taleb Volunteer with us!

It’s never too late to write for your student newspaper! The Eye has numerous talented and hard-working volunteers that contribute to our paper weekly.

And you can be one of them!

Email editor@theeyeopener. com for more information!

By Gavin Axelrod Canada’s best in university men’s hockey will take centre stage at the Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC) in 2024.

The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold are set to host the U Sports men’s hockey national championship tournament next season, the university announced on Monday afternoon.

It’ll be the first time in program history that TMU will host the men’s hockey national championship tournament, also known as the U Cup. The university has

previously hosted three national events, the last one being the 2019 U Sports women’s basketball Final 8 Tournament.

“We’re thrilled for the opportunity to represent our institution on our home ice and work toward trying to win a national championship on home ice,” head coach Johnny Duco told The Eyeopener.

“That’s what drives us and we’re super excited about that opportunity in front of us.”

The Bold had their best season in program history last year finishing the campaign with an Ontario University Athletics (OUA) bronze

medal, punching their ticket to the national tournament for the first time ever and defeating a national powerhouse, the University of New Brunswick at the event, before finishing fourth in the country.

And while the team automatically receives an entry into the 2024 tournament as hosts, Duco said it’s not a reason to take their foot off the gas.

He said the team doesn’t want to rely on the fact that they’re the hosts.

“We want to earn our way into the tournament and put our best foot forward,” he said.

Duco also said the program had “brief discussions,” that turned out

to be “nothing more than just talk” about hosting the 2022 tournament if Acadia University couldn’t but ultimately they didn’t put a formal bid forward.

“At the end of the day this was the first time in my time that we’ve put forward a formal bid and really put our best foot forward to nail down the tournament,” said Duco.

Duco said it’s a rewarding feeling to host the tournament—but not just for him. He ran down a laundry list of coaches, players, scouts, video analysts and analytics staff who have contributed to the program’s overall success.

“The head coach usually gets some of the praise for it but these people are putting in tremendous hours and hard work and sacrifice,” he said.

There’s still lots of hockey left to be played before TMU can look toward nationals in 2024. The Bold currently sit at 8-3-1 on the year and are in the midst of a threegame losing streak.

TMU returns to action this Thursday at the MAC against the Brock Badgers, their second last game on home ice before the new year. The Bold will look to string together wins in their final four games before the winter break in their pursuit of an OUA championship and a national tournament appearance in Charlottetown this coming March.

But the opportunity to have nationals at the MAC isn’t lost on him amidst the ongoing campaign.

“The opportunity to host the national championship on home ice is once in a lifetime and a pretty special opportunity,” said Duco.

Eyelections are back!

It’s that time of year again! Eyelections are back once again. Join us for our first in-person elections since 2020!

It will be an exciting night of speeches as we welcome new editors onto our masthead for the winter semester.

Elections will occur on Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. at the Ram in the Rye located inside the Student Campus Centre.

Who can run?

All full-time, undergraduate students enrolled at Toronto Metropolitan University are eligible to run for a masthead position.

What positions are available?

• Online editor (2) • News editor (3) • Arts and culture editor • Features editor • Business and technology editor • Photo editor • Communities editor Who can vote: All masthead members and any

volunteer who has contributed at least three times this semester can vote. Articles and videos count as one contribution. Writing a feature counts as two contributions.

Copy editing two articles counts as one contribution.

If you are running: You must be nominated by three people. Self-nominating counts as one. The other two nominations must be from current Eye editors.

The nomination form is available on The Eye’s Facebook page. Nominations are due by Dec. 6 at 11:59 p.m.

You must also put a poster up in The Eye’s office by Dec. 6, at 11:59 p.m. You can also add the poster to our Facebook page. The poster must include your full name, your face (any sort of selfie!) and the position you are running for.

You must email a transcript of your speech to editor@theeyeopener.com by Dec. 7 at 12 p.m.

If you are running for a photo editor position, you must email your portfolio to editor@theeyeopener. com by Dec. 7 at 12 p.m.

Election night: We will be holding elections in-person at Ram in the Rye. Nominees must be present to give their speeches.

Speeches are two minutes maximum.

Current editors and audience members will be able to ask questions to candidates following the speeches.

For voters, if you are not available to attend the elections on the night of, all of the speeches will be available in written form on Google Drive.

For any accessibility needs for the election night, please email editor@theeyeopener.com.

Eligible voter list: Samira Balsara Julia Lawrence Rochelle Raveendran Jack Wannan Samreen Maqsood Bashair Ali Fatima Raza Andrew Yang Nashra Syed Jaden Ho Keiran Gorsky Matthew Lin Konnor Killoran

Mikayla Guarasci Armen Zargarian Jacob Stoller Sam Beaudoin Dexter LeRuez Matthew Davison Mitchell Fox Nathan Gerson Rapahel Chahinian Anastasia Blosser Almost eligible voter list: John Vo (2) Nalyn Tindall (2) Negin Khodayari (2) Shaki Sutharsan (2) Julian Bettencourt (2) Todd Ash-Duah (2) Fatima Raza (2) Ben Okazawa (2) Olivia Wiens (2) Joseph Casciaro (2) Matthew Davison (2) Jordan Jacklin (1) Shawn Heerema (1) Crina Mustafa (1) If you do not see your name here but you are eligible to vote, please email editor@theeyeopener.com

SKATING SEASON

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Skating to be seen: Figure skaters ready to rock at Brock

By Jordan Jacklin On a chilly Thursday in downtown Toronto, the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold figure skating team sets up shop at the Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC) to practice their individual and group programs.

After loading up their playlist into the arena’s sound system, the skaters either practice on their own or in pairs. From completing basic turns to executing axel jumps, a great amount of work goes into creating these programs—work that goes far beyond their time on the ice.

There is a lot of time spent on details that go into a performance, including the music they skate to, their outfits and staging the choreography.

“We have a lot of rookies, so it’s been fun getting to know everybody” Adele’s “Skyfall” can be heard through the MAC speakers as second-year graphic communication management student Marion Pollard begins a singles routine. But not every song is lyrical; as the duet routines are practiced using instrumentals and songs more emotional

KONNOR KILLORAN/THE EYEOPENER

in nature.

“Being fully immersed and providing our interpretation of our selected music is essential in our sport,” said Pollard. “It factors into our competition scores, so making sure that we enjoy the song selections is our first step.”

Many of the skaters wore blue dresses with rhinestones glazed over them, which will be used for their upcoming meet. The reasoning behind

this is to feel as comfortable in their uniforms as possible for when hundreds of eyes will be laid upon them in the coming days.

The group is preparing to compete in the Fall Invitational on Nov. 22, where they will travel to the Meridian Credit Union Arena at Brock University to compete against other Ontario universities. There hasn’t been a competition held at the MAC since February 2020 and the figure skating team won’t have an event at home this season either.

“It’s been great having people that are creative on our team” However, Pollard is excited about what this season has to offer and the increase in events the team will be participating in.

“Due to the pandemic, we didn’t have a lot going on over the last year,” said Pollard. “This year, we have a lot more competitions that are away from home and we’re excited to travel together as a group.”

But this season is different compared to others. Last season, the KONNOR KILLORAN/THE EYEOPENER team competed in the Ontar-

KONNOR KILLORAN/THE EYEOPENER

io University Athletics (OUA) Championship in Aylmer, Ont., where some skaters participated in the final events of their careers.

It was also the squad’s only OUA competition last season.

With skaters—including former captain Julia Iaboni not returning this year—the team’s environment has shifted as the younger athletes are taking on more leadership roles.

Pollard is one of those people that is leading in all aspects, from encouraging her teammates, to assisting in the production aspects off the ice.

“We have a lot of rookies, so it’s been fun getting to know everybody,” said Pollard. “There is a big difference in varsity skating compared to traditional competitive skating and we have a lot going on as a group.”

In addition to preparing for two invitational meets and the OUA championships in February, the squad is looking to bring extra awareness for themselves and gain some exposure in the local market.

The group is expected to participate in the Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square where members of the team will perform their programs for visitors downtown.

Tiffany Huang, an early childhood studies student, is excited about what participating in this festival has to offer. With most events typically done solo or in pairs, this is an exciting prospect for the group.

“Events like this are important for team-building and it offers a unique scenario for us,” said Huang.

“This is an opportunity to perform as an entire group.”

When compared to other sports, creativity is heavily relied upon in figure skating—from the planning stages to executing a program.

It helps that some of the skaters are in creative-based programs, including the sport media program or creative industries.

Anna Carter, a second-year fashion student, is one of those skaters.

“It’s been great having people that are creative on our team,” Carter said. Their creativity also bleeds into other aspects of the team. “They help out with our social media platforms and the editing process for our music selections.”

When it comes to role models in figure skating, especially in the U Sports realm, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir stand out for the majority of the skaters. The duo is known for their dynamic performances in the Olympics from 2010 to 2018, winning five medals in that span.

Virtue, an alumna of the University of Windsor, studied psychology while also competing in high-level ice dance events.

“Due to the pandemic, we didn’t have a lot going on over the last year” In a sport that is niche compared to its counterparts, figure skating offers a variety of aspects that set it apart.

Carter noted how sports such as hockey, soccer, volleyball and basketball are team-based. But figure skating offers a mix of both individual and pairs events. Plus, the figure skating program as a whole at TMU, is team-based.

“At the varsity level, it’s both individually-oriented and teamoriented,” said Carter. “That allows for a different viewing experience for the audience.”

Although the team won’t be performing at the MAC in the near future, an exciting season lies ahead for the Bold figure skating team. With three invitationals and performances in local events coming up, the sport has officially made a full-force return at the university.

“We want to perform better with the Bold name and earn higher competition scores than ever before.”

The Eye Turns 55!

Words by Stephanie Davoli Visuals by Vanessa Kauk Founded in 1967, The Eyeopener has officially reached its 55th anniversary! As Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) independent student newspaper, we’ve seen a lot of changes over the years—from the introduction of countless new campus buildings to the university’s recent name change and everything in-between. In honour of the milestone, we spoke to five former editors about their time at The Eye, their advice for future students, what they believe the newspaper’s legacy is and much more.

Here are their best excerpts from our interviews with each of them!

Erin Valois

Before graduating from TMU’s School of Journalism in 2010, Erin was The Eye’s sports editor in the fall of 2008, winter of 2009 and winter of 2010. Erin is currently working as the vicepresident of digital strategy at Postmedia, a national media company that owns over 100 news outlets across the country.

One of Erin’s most memorable moments at The Eye involved her coverage of the winter 2009 referendum to increase student’s sports fees—which eventually led to the university’s investment in Maple Leaf Gardens. “It was one of those stories where you didn’t know what it was going to become and then what it became was so monumental for the university.”

Sierra Bein

Currently working as a content writer, editor and the writer of the Globe Climate Newsletter for The Globe and Mail, Sierra was at The Eye from 2013 to 2018, serving as the editor-in-chief in her final year. The TMU journalism grad remembers her Eye days fondly, but one story that sticks out in particular was the infamous breaking news piece on bed bugs in the Victoria Building. As the editorin-chief at the time, Sierra remembers that the story was so big that it’s reach extended far beyond the TMU community. “The next day we were on all sorts of radio channels, our office was full of outside reporters who were trying to see what happened,” says Sierra. “The school was very upset with me and they called me in for a meeting with PR people. I felt like I was in trouble but I wasn’t scared.”

Rob Granatstein

Rob started at The Eye as a news writer in 1995. He then became a news editor in 1996 and after graduating from TMU’s journalism program in 1997, became editor-in-chief from 1997 to 1998. Since his time at TMU, Rob has worked at the Toronto Sun and as the director of corporate communications for Metrolinx. Rob remembers a particularly memorable day involved Jared Leto visiting The Eye’s office, which was then located in the basement of Jorgenson Hall, in preparation for a role in which he was portraying a student journalist. “We walked him through the life. I’m pretty sure the movie, show or whatever he was in, bombed, but it was kind of nice.”

Nicole Schmidt

This 2016 j-school graduate worked as a communities editor, news editor and online editor at The Eye before she became the paper’s editor-in-chief from 2016 to 2017. Nicole is currently living in Germany where she works as a fact-checker, freelance writer and associate editor for The Walrus. Throughout her many years at The Eye, Nicole recalls several memorable moments, such as participating in a ‘Coffee Olympics’ with her team. She also recalls the one night during her final Eye year where TMU security found her sleeping on the office floor. “I guess [TMU security] were doing their night checks and they first saw just my feet laid on the floor from the doorway,” remembers Nicole. “So they woke me up. It was very startling but it was all okay!”

Jacob Dubé

In addition to being The Eye’s editor-in-chief from 2018 to 2019, this TMU journalism alumnus also worked as editor of the business and technology, features and news sections during his time at the publication. Currently working as the producer on the national strategies and operations team at Postmedia, Jacob is also a former president of the Canadian University Press. With his immense dedication to and extensive experience in student journalism, it’s no surprise that he has countless memories from his Eye days. However, Jacob’s most memorable moment involved accompanying Sierra and other news editors into the Victoria Building for the bed bugs story of 2018. “I think it was the most exciting news experience of my life,” says Jacob. “It was such a cool chance to be like, ‘Why don’t we just check for ourselves?’”

HBD!

How has your time at The Eye influenced your career?

Erin: “Working at The Eye provided me with such great real-life experience for working in journalism. You learn a lot in your classes and the professors are experts in teaching the tactics but The Eye gives you the hands-on opportunity to report on a community in a way that you probably would if you worked for a major newspaper or digital enterprise. There’s no safety net at The Eye—you had to conduct yourself in the same way as if you worked at the Toronto Star—and I think that was a really valuable experience.

was really—you’re out there, you’re on your own and there’s no you want to be a better writer, editor, reporter, whatever, the professor holding your hand.” best thing you can do is read. Take in all the material you can because it will help improve your work as well. You’re really like Sierra: “I definitely learned more at The Eye than any class at j- a sponge when you’re in school so just try to soak it all in as best school could’ve taught me. Aside from the hard skills of writing as you can.” and working on a team, it taught me how much people skills and being an enjoyable person plays into every assignment and task. Jacob: “My main piece of advice, especially for Eye editors is There’s very little that can be done at a newspaper and any or- please, please don’t sleep in the office. When I was there it seemed ganization alone so if you’re smart and a good person to work like such a rite of passage to sleep there, eat there, skip meals, but with, then you’re a great teammate. I feel like my ability to talk making sure that your mental health is at a good level and that and connect with people has helped me as much as my hard skills you don’t get burnt out is so important. Go home at a reasonable in editing.” hour, I promise you the work will be done. Another thing is that you’ll never know where a cool opportunity will take you. Really Nicole: “To just stay curious and always ask ques- don’t let yourself be siloed, let the opportunities come and whattions I think. Oh, and to get more sleep. I don’t ever happens, happens.” think I’ve ever been more sleep-deprived in my life than I was during my time at The Eye. But at the same time, I don’t know how but we didn’t really feel it? Maybe it was because of the gallons of coffee we were chugging but yeah, I think if I could go back I’d maybe prioritize sleep more.”

Rob: “The Eye had a huge influence on everything I did. It allowed me to be a reporter on big stories and an editor while I was still figuring my way out in the real world. Later in my career, I became an editor at the Toronto Sun and I felt like I had Jacob: “I think the main one is that you should some grounding in it because I had really invest your time in getting to know, help already done it somewhere else. Beand work with everyone around you, no mating at The Eye also allowed me to ter what their skill levels are. I know that when make a whole bunch of mistakes at you first start at TMU and you’re thinking about the student level, before I got into a networking you might think, ‘Oh I’m going to go major media publication, so I made a and meet the editor-in-chief of CBC News and I’m lot fewer mistakes in the real world. It really did just help me learn going to be their best friend.’ But what networking actually is, is and build my confidence that I could do the job.” finding a bunch of people on your level and maybe some that are just starting out and you can teach them some stuff and you all Sierra: “It’s so funny because a big part of what I do every week elevate each other together.” now with my job at The Globe is basically what we did at The Eye once a week but I do it all in just one day. I basically see where the ads are and place stories for the Saturday paper. So I think having that bit of print experience from The Eye is something that I didn’t think would come back but I definitely use now quite frequently.

Even for editing, I didn’t have classes per se on how to edit but it was using what I had learned from other people at The Eye and Any advice for current and future students? what little I learned from class. So there’s definitely a lot that has translated directly into every role I’ve had ever since.”

Erin: “It’s really important for people who are working at The Eye who want to get into media to recognize that what they’ve Nicole: “I learned more about journalism in The Eye newsroom done at the student newspaper is really important work for comthan I did in the classroom. Part of that was because I tried so munity strategy. You really develop important skills that are usemany different roles during my time at The Eye that I just wouldn’t ful in newsrooms because you are doing the same work as major have had the opportunity to do elsewhere. It also helped me learn outlets, just on a different scale. I would also tell people to think to be deadline-oriented because we had an issue that went to the about what their niche is and what they can offer an organizaprinter every Tuesday at 5 p.m. To learn how to get things done tion.” properly and on-time was so important.”

Rob: “My biggest piece of advice is to get out of your comfort Jacob: “It almost felt like a second degree. You started at TMU zone. Try stories that you’re not sure that you’d be interested in, and you’re learning a bunch in your classes but then once you go write a feature, do some video, started going to The Eye, it was almost as though every day was do some photography, do all a new class…learning something new and working with your these things. It’s such a great peers. After having all of that [experience], when I finally broke place to try and you might be into the industry after a couple internships I felt so prepared. surprised at what you like. I alThey’d be like, ‘Get these interviews, do this really tight deadline’ ways thought that I’d be a sports and I just felt like ‘Oh I know how to do this, I learned this all at reporter, turns out after trying it The Eye.’” for a while, I actually liked being a fan more. But I found out I really liked news. So just try stuff, I think that’s the biggest thing and don’t be afraid to fail.

Any lessons that stick with you to this day?

Erin: “The biggest lesson I learned was probably that, in hindsight, I don’t think in the mid-2000s we were as cognizant about what it meant to report on students and the power of Google. I don’t think we understood the thought that needs to go into what counts as a story and the impact of it being readily available online 10 or 15 years later. So I think with the benefit of hindsight that I would have been a lot more thoughtful [of is] realizing how people would come across permanently.”

Rob: “I think a lot of it was the ability to try things and make mistakes. A huge piece of being at The Eye involved having the chance to try all sorts of things, from sports writing and news to editing and taking pictures. We did some of that in class but this

7

Sierra: “Your colleagues in school are not your competition. Every single person can find their way and do something awesome. I think that there’s healthy competition but I think that, very often, when you’re all trying to get jobs and internships, it can become kind of unhealthy competition. This industry is very small but I think that’s more reason to foster connections with others and get to know your colleagues as teammates because you will certainly run into a lot of them later down the road.”

What does The Eye’s legacy and importance at TMU represent to you?

Erin: “I think that The Eye has a really important role at the university to hold the administration accountable and to be the voice for students. From a journalism perspective, it’s always been such a great opportunity for development and people who aren’t in journalism can always take part and end up with a career in media without going to journalism school. In the past few years, it’s been really impressive to see how thoughtful and inclusive The Eye’s newsroom has become too. It’s really nice to see so many different communities at the university being reflected in the publication and I think that the past few years of leadership at The Eye has really thrown it into a new era.”

Rob: “What makes it stand the test of time is that it’s the student paper, it’s got a bit of an edge to it, it tells stories that other places may not tell usually and it’s also a place that’s so fun. For me, it’s a place that is so welcoming to people in journalism but also outside of journalism. That’s just such a huge part of what The Eye brings to the journalism department and the school.”

Sierra: “Definitely being the independent voice on campus is super valuable—even if not all students completely understand it—I think that holds a great deal of importance. It covers so many communities, from the university to the downtown core and it’s such a weird microcosm of the world. I think that it’s so important to have something so hyper-local that connects with communities…and having someone there listening, watching and sharing plays such a huge role in the growth of the university.”

Nicole: “I think the community that it built, for me and from my time there, just holds so many memories. It was almost like a little clubhouse on campus and I’ve met some of my closest friends at The Eye. There were so many late nights and I just remember it being one of the most fun times of my life and that’s ‘cause I was surrounded by people who shared my passion for journalism while we were all working together on creating this newspaper. It was just very special.”

Jacob: “What The Eye has carved itself out to be is a place for young journalists to experiment and try out new things that really innovate the journalism industry. It’s really one of the only places that you have the full freedom to do whatever you want and see what works. So, it really feels like The Eye is a place for young journalists to take the cool stuff that they’ve learned and strategized and later spread it Nicole: “One of the best pieces of advice that I ever got was, if out and change newsrooms in that way.”

8

BIZ & TECH

TMU Upcycled Gear Fashion Show gives new life to old merch

By Haley Sengsavanh In late September, boxes packed full of old athletic gear arrived on the doorsteps of 19 Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) fashion design alumni. Inside were clusters of blue and yellow fabric, from hockey socks, cheerleading gloves to basketball jerseys. All these items had one thing in common: they were old Ryerson and Rams-branded products now considered waste. But through the TMU Upcycled Gear Fashion Show, these clothing items and gear will receive a new life in the form of 25 runway-ready outfits.

This event, which will be held at the Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC) on Nov. 28 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., is part of the university’s Branded Materials Transition Project (BMTP), led by members of the TMU Athletics and Recreation department. Its goal is to reuse or upcycle all of the university’s outdated branded materials including merchandise, uniforms, apparel, letterheads and more.

The fashion show is also part of the MAC’s 10th anniversary celebrations, the university said in a written statement to The Eyeopener.

They said the fashion show aims to “honour and celebrate the legacy of the Rams and the future success of TMU Bold while shining the light on environmental sustainability.”

The university reported that to date, they have prevented over 7,000 kilos of branded materials from entering landfills, with a goal to exceed 10,000 kilos by the end of 2022.

Dr. Anika Kozlowski, an assistant professor of fashion design, ethics & sustainability, was approached by TMU’s athletics department to assist with the textiles side of the BMTP initiatives. This project was a “perfect fit” for Kozlowski, she said. Not only does she have an academic background in fashion sustainability, she is also a sports enthusiast and has been upcycling since university.

The fashion show is part of Kozlowski’s environmental sciences research project into upcycling. She conducted interviews with all the designers and instructed them to ship back all their leftover fabric scraps to document how much of the material was actually used.

“We’re doing research to understand upcycling more because it’s very different from a traditional fashion design process. Generally you upcycle something that has no value and the whole point is to give it value,” she said. “You’re working with materials that have stains, could be ripped or have lots of abrasion and wear.”

Alongside fashion professor Shelley Haines, Kozlowski also created an outfit to be showcased on the runway. “It’s been a long time since

also able to experiment with zero waste techniques like subtraction cutting. This method of garmentmaking can be applied to any tubular shape and starts with the designer drawing out the basics for the garment in a mismatched way.

Then, rather than cutting out the pattern piece itself, they cut out the negatives to create a new drape.

“A lot of knitwear is constructed in a circular and zero-waste way”

@ narishdath.maraj via Instagram

I’ve been involved with a fashion All the limited edition runway show, so just getting to be creative outfits will be auctioned off at a funagain and be a part of this was a draising event after the show. highlight for sure,” she said.

All the proceeds from the fashion show will go toward the TMU Bold Equity & Inclusion Award, which “Generally you upcycle financially supports student athletes something that has no from equity-deserving groups. value, and the whole President Mohamed Lachemi, interim provost Roberta Iannacitopoint is to give it value” Provenzano, vice-provost students, The alumni she selected for the Jen McMillen and 25 TMU varsity show are all involved in the realm and club team student athletes will of sustainability. Jessica Frankel, be walking the runway, according to who graduated from TMU’s fashion the university. design program this year, created During the design process, the her capstone project entirely out of fashion design alumni had the opdenim from thrift stores. To cre- portunity to connect with the athate those five looks, she utilized a letes modelling their look and collabJapanese mending style called Boro, orate to create something authentic which patches textile scraps togeth- to them. er using a single stitch. The result Frankel worked with studentwas a patchwork-looking effect. athlete Alyona Ivanova, who graduShe created a similar patchwork ated from TMU’s biomedical scilook for the fashion show by mak- ences program in 2022. She was part ing her own fabric from old basket- of the TMU figure skating team and ball and hockey jerseys. Out of this continues to be a part of the school’s unique textile, Frankel created a equestrian team. cropped tank top and low-waisted Ivanova is a lifelong athlete—she joggers set, with zippers curving grew up figure skating and comaround the body that allow it to be peted for the Russian national team adjusted to the wearer’s personal before moving to Canada. She curliking. She said the outfit was in- rently works for SickKids in the spired by sports uniforms and Y2K neurosurgery research department. fashion. “You look at this and you Ivanova is also signed to Icon think TMU,” Frankel said.

Models and says the show is a great Frankel hopes that the fashion opportunity for her to learn more show will inspire people to con- about the fashion industry and consider how much work went into nect with people in it. “As a figure saving the once abandoned pieces skater, I really like performing and of clothing. being on stage,” she said. “Fashion “Anything you can think of that shows are also a performance in can be branded is sitting in a box, in a way and you get to show off the a bunker in school,” she said. “We’re work of great designers.” doing our part as designers to give This unique mix between sports these products new life so that they and fashion was one of the things can be worn again and not in a land- that initially intrigued TMU fashfill somewhere.” ion design 2021 graduate Roy Luo Tickets for the show are available about this event. His design process for purchase on the MAC website. involved a lot of feedback from his Floor tickets for TMU alumni and models . He chose a sporty direction community members cost $20 and when creating the two outfits and balcony tickets for TMU students matching accessories. with a valid OneCard are $10. There “I really wanted to get the peris limited capacity on the balcony, spective of the student athletes and with standing room only. ended up getting really inspired by

the sports they played. One of them is a baseball player so I made pants that have a running baseball stitch on the seams.”

Luo’s goal when creating these garments was to incorporate as many ways of upcycling as possible.

One method was de-constructing knitted items like toques into balls of yarn, which he then wove into a scarf using a loom. “A lot of knitwear is constructed in a circular and almost zero-waste way, so a piece can be made out of a single strand of yarn,” he said.

Throughout this project, Luo was Courtesy TMU Athletics

He incorporated part of this technique when creating a patchwork skirt from cut up hockey socks.

“In subtraction cutting, you’re able to cut out circles or squares from it. Then you can put them together. It creates an interesting shape that you couldn’t conventionally get if you were trying to draft from the ground up.”

Luo believes the fashion show is making a positive impact and hopes it demonstrates the potential that upcycling has.

“There’s a lot of ideas in this project,” he said.

“The different techniques that me and my fellow designers are incorporating really shows you that there’s more than one way to create sustainable fashion.”

9

ECO-MMUNITIES

On climate change, Gen Z grapples with a broken system Systemic shortcomings have pushed Gen Z to get louder with demands for climate action as the COP27 conference comes to a close

By Omar Taleb and Asha Swann Mary-Elizabeth Chin doesn’t think sustainability is enough anymore.

Natural disasters are more frequent and she doesn’t believe the “status quo” is on track to stop this pattern.

And with world leaders meeting together for the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27) earlier this month, climate change is currently top of mind for many.

“Working to sustain us for the future is setting ourselves up for failure,” said Chin, a fourth-year environmental and urban sustainability student at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). “It’s about mitigation and combating the effects of climate change—not sustaining it.”

As with many of her peers in university, Chin belongs to Generation Z, the cohort born between 1997 and 2012. Data shows that Gen Z is the most eco-conscious generation yet, willing to spend more on products they deem sustainable and turn down roles at companies that aren’t doing enough for the environment. Climate change has become a generational flashpoint, as Gen Z is demanding action with more urgency than their millennial and Generation X counterparts.

What sets them apart is where their activism takes place—not at forums with world leaders like COP27, but online.

“As the Boomers age and retire, it will open the door for a new set of ideas at the top” “We are about to witness one of the biggest demographic shifts,” said Sara Edge, an associate professor in the department of geography and environmental studies.

“Climate change has become a real affordability challenge.”

While Gen Z grapples with the idea that they may never be able to afford to own a home in the current housing crisis, giant condos are being built in Vancouver as some of the “greenest skyscrapers on the planet,” according to The Tyee. The expenses that come along with sustainability have some Gen Z-ers questioning the capitalist structure.

“As the boomers age and retire, it will open the door for a new set of ideas at the top,” said Edge.

Chin takes issue with conferences like COP27, which she says don’t do enough to appeal to the younger generation. In previous years, the conference has come under criticism for failing to address the fossil fuel industry. This 27th year of the confer-

JES MASON/THE EYEOPENER

ence, put on annually by the United Nations (UN), was no different. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said this year that greenhouse gas emissions must reduce by at least 43 per cent by 2030.

“Looking at environmental issues as an intersectional problem would really benefit inclusivity amongst different generations,” she said. “When there [are] goals set by one generation, such as boomers, it doesn’t cover a lot of concerns for all.”

“They’re goals,” Chin said, explaining that events like COP27, while well-meaning, can focus too much on policies and governments rather than action. “It is a political agreement,” she explained. “That really excludes a lot of people. And who’s to say that these certain parties are the ones that will cover all the concerns of everyone?”

Chin believes there are other is-

“Gen Z has been disenfranchised from public policy” sues that accompany climate change, like environmental racism and capitalism, which are often unaddressed at climate conferences.

“A lot of communities that face the brunt force or the negative outcomes of climate change are marginalized communities and those concerns need to be addressed,” Chin said. “It feels like capitalism is often prioritized over actually making tangible change for the environment.”

For example, climate scientists at the Worldwide Weather Attribution initiative determined that the record-breaking flooding in Pakistan in August 2022—which displace over 30 million people and killed an estimated 1,500—was caused by climate change. The same experts also said that while global warming increases the Earth’s temperature, the usually-expected monsoon rains may become less reliable.

This means Pakistan could see alternating periods of heavy drought and intense flooding in the future.

Countless other countries could also follow the same pattern if climate change isn’t reversed.

One of the policies promised by COP7 was to create a “loss and damage” fund for countries damaged by extreme natural disasters fuelled by climate change. While the UN came to a consensus that some countries are “particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change,” there has yet to be an agreement as to which country should pay how much to whom. The fund was resisted by the United States and the European Union.

Matisse Buteau is also a fourthyear student in the environmental and urban sustainability program.

While she doesn’t believe that all of Gen Z care more about the environment than previous generations, she said the overwhelming pressure she feels to make sustainability changes is what separates her age group from millennials.

“Sustainability is a mindset in which I push myself to in every aspect of my life,” she said. “I weigh the environmental costs of my ac-

tivities and try and be mindful of my environmental footprint.”

Chin said while folks in her generation are less likely to pay attention to conferences like COP27 than their millenial or boomer counterparts, Gen Z is most likely to use the internet as a tool for action and organizing.

“Millennials might not have no-

“We are in a system that is not sustainable” ticed these dramatic changes—we’re seeing it unfold on social media,” she said.

Edge pointed to the “visual evidence” afforded by social media and how the climate situation is getting increasingly dire. These factors create Gen Z’s sense of urgency around climate change. “Social media is a big tool for Gen Z; it’s made it more difficult for people to keep their heads in the sand.”

But while social media has emboldened Gen Z to get louder on climate action, some experts say it’s led to information overload and the phenomenon of eco-anxiety, a chronic fear of environmental destruction.

Rachel Malena-Chan, the founder of Eco Anxious Stories, a digital storytelling platform discussing climate change based in British Columbia, explained that eco-anxiety is not an overreaction or a temporary feeling but an all-encompassing sense of doom related to communities and individuals.

It’s especially pervasive among Gen Z, who Malena-Chan said also feel similarly about politics.

“Gen Z has been disenfranchised from public policy. They are more aware that climate change is a political problem and that demand for a different system is clear,” said Malena-Chan.

Anika Kozlowski, an associate professor of fashion design, ethics and sustainability, hopes social media conversation around sustainability will focus more on root causes rather than surface-level solutions like sustainable shopping.

“Ask yourself what political activities and grassroots initiatives you can support,” said Kozlowski.

“Everything in sustainability is a greyscale because we are in a system that is not sustainable. Are you better off putting your money toward a sustainable brand or political action?”

“There will always be capitalistic greed, but it will need a revolution” Chin and Buteau are hopeful their generation will take the climate action needed for change but that doesn’t mean they aren’t wary of the obstacles in their way, especially if those obstacles are perpetrated by capitalistic greed.

“Older generations need to start being open to bringing in new voices,” explained Chin. “There will always be capital greed but it will need a revolution.”

10

OKAY I LIKE IT, PICASSO!

TMU creative industries student hosts concert photography exhibit The charitable art exhibit highlights the important role photographers play in documenting ‘cultural history’

By Saif Khan Music and photography enthusiasts enter a bright office turned into a makeshift exhibit space—each window covered with photo prints from concerts, raves and music festivals in Toronto. Chatter, excitement and music fills the space as visitors view the vibrant artwork.

On Nov. 12, Media Pass was presented in the office of Manifesto Community Projects, a local nonprofit arts organization. Curated and produced by Imani Dominique Busby, a fourth-year creative industries student at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), the charitable art exhibit brought together various emerging photographers to highlight concert and festival photography in the city.

“Concert photographers don’t get as much props as they should. You don’t really think about the photographer and their perspective,” Busby said. She said sometimes, people see a photo of the artist and don’t think about the photographer behind it. “I wanted to create a space for that because the music industry in Toronto is so beautiful and vibrant.”

The exhibit showcased a lively variety of photographs accompanied by a video installation edited by artist Grace Munene. Media Pass high-

NKWACHUKWU NWALOZIE/MEDIA PASS

lighted the powerful sense of community that exists for artists working in Toronto’s creative scene. Artists and visitors both expressed appreciation for the intimacy that is present within concerts—something that the team behind Media Pass believed deserved to be highlighted.

“Concert photographers don’t get as much props as they should” “There are thousands of people there and we’re seeing the same thing.

But we’re having vastly different experiences all together,” said featured photographer Taija Grey. “Concert photography is a beautiful way to amplify how we’re all connected yet living in vastly different realities.”

Alicia Reid, another featured photographer who graduated from TMU’s journalism program in 2022, shared a similar sentiment.

“You’re in a room full of a bunch of people that you can relate to,” she said.

“It’s just a beautiful feeling. To be able to document it all together, to document the feeling [and] to document history being made is so important.”

TMU students, photographers, artists and their friends and family filled the space from noon to 10:30 p.m. Each attendee was also provid-

SAIF KHAN/THE EYEOPENER

ed a ‘media pass’ lanyard to emulate the experience of being a concert photographer. Viewers admired the displayed photos and video installation paired with music from DJs Sekii and Child Noir.

“Having all these photographers capture moments that are snapshots in time and what the artist is feeling is something super special,” said Kianna Sumitani, another artist whose work was featured at the exhibit.

Sumitani, who is a third-year creative industries student, said to her, creating impactful photography means to make her work “as time-

less as possible.”

This sentiment was echoed by other artists in the exhibit, such as Jet Bailey. “What I aim to do is just preserve cultural history,” said Bailey. “My overall goal isn’t to be rich or famous. I would rather, a hundred years down the line, just be in museums or history books.”

“I would rather, a hundred years down the line, just be in museums or history books”

for emerging artists to network and connect with other creatives.

Throughout the course of the day, different creatives visited the Manifesto office, connecting with the volunteers, featured artists and collaborators behind the event. A strong sense of community was present in the space, allowing for a welcoming experience for viewers.

Media Pass featured Toronto-based artists Alicia Reid, Anushay Sheikh, Connor Tadao, Evie Maynes, Jet Bailey, Taija Grey, Jershotyou, Kianna Sumitani and woes.jpg*.

The exhibit was sponsored by Manifesto Community Projects, Posterjack and the TMU Student Initiatives Fund and Black Initiatives Fund. It was developed with production support from Sarah Itamah, Nkwachukwu Nwalozie and Malaika Lorde.

Proceeds from artwork that was sold at the exhibit will go toward the UNITY Charity, a Canadian charity focused on improving the wellbeing of underserved youth through hiphop art forms.

For photographer Jershotyou* on Instagram, preserving history through photography is important because his old work still gets circulated to this day.

He said some of his photographs from three years ago are still being reposted today on artist fanpages. “I preserved that part of the culture, where I’m still getting posted and people still care enough to look at it.

It’s really remarkable.”

Media Pass presented an inclusive and accessible space for viewers to reflect on the importance of docu- *These artists only use their photogramenting concert culture. The ex- phy names online and did not provide hibit also provided an opportunity The Eyeopener with their legal name.

SAIF KHAN/THE EYEOPENER

FUN FUN FUN

11

Professors are also tired of in-person classes

PEYTON KEELER-COX/THE EYEOPENER

By Zarmminaa Rehman As we come to the end of our first proper semester of in-person classes since winter 2020, it’s safe to say that professors are at their wit’s end.

How could you not be when you’re subjected to seeing the drooping pubescent faces of over a hundredsomething young adults day-afterday? It seems valid.

The Eyeopener wanted to give a voice to our “beloved” professors and so we set out to hear what they had to say. To the surprise of no one, they had a lot to say, as in a whole page worth, with many fol-

low up voice notes and emails of things they had forgotten.

Sikand Tyred, an entrepreneurship professor at the Ted Rogers School of Management, said he can’t bear to spend any more time teaching, even though it had been his lifelong passion since he himself was a doe-eyed and ambitious undergraduate student. Here is what he told The Eye in a very real emailed statement when asked how his semester back in-person has been: “Ever since I was a youngling, talking has been my armour. Talking my way out of everything. My mother said I would never get anywhere but

look at me now. I am a professor at a renowned university in Toronto.

I wish I could say I have that same passion to talk and teach now—it is all I ever wanted to do but I cannot continue under these conditions.

These students make it impossible to stare at them and find the inspiration to continue lecturing. Life was more fulfilling for my teaching agenda when all I saw were rows of black painted boxes decorated only with the emails of my students. Sure, there would be the odd fellows who decided that they wanted to participate and turn on their cameras but I could easily combat that ordeal by pinning the screen to my own box.

Being online made my life a whole lot easier and I was content.

Now though, when I wake up in the morning, my day is ruined when I remember that I have to teach inperson. Knowing I have to stare out at a dingy yellow-lit lecture hall and explain the joy of becoming an entrepreneur to expressionless faces is as appealing as [watching paint dry].

All I can think as I look at the half-filled seats is how ungrateful all of them are. If I had a nickel for every time I saw someone yawn or crunch on the loudest vegetables known to man—carrots and celery—I would have enough to start

my own university.

Do these kids not understand that they are learning valuable information and keys to success? The same students, everyday who without fail ask me the same questions. Was my email not clear? Did you skip over the entire syllabus where I bolded the assignment instructions? Why must you come to me in-person and ask me something I answered yesterday?

And don’t even get me started on office hours. No! I do not want to hold office hours anymore and if I do hold them, it’s against my will.

Nobody wants to come on-time and when I decide it’s time to head out and enjoy a nice warm beverage, someone waywardly knocks on my door to force me into a dull conversation where once again, I contemplate if maybe I should have just forgoed getting a PhD and worked at one of the banks on King street.

Now that we’re back in-person, it also feels like I’ve been in a line-up all semester. Whenever I want to eat: line. Coffee break: line. Getting to my own class: line! I’m stuck in so many lines that I am unable to leave or speed through.

Oh look! As I’m writing this another student just asked me about office hours that I know they won’t come to! And why do their ques-

tions never end but start with ‘Oh also?’ I already discussed this in my lecture 15 times already.

Well, I suppose I should wrap this email up now as I have just received another “important” faculty meeting invitation that I must urgently attend. There truly is no spare minute for me to rest and rant anymore.

For two years, emails and Zoom meetings were perfectly fine but now they’re asking me to trek all the way to the third floor of a building located above a Canadian Tire and cut my break time short?

I didn’t realize that my life must now adapt to these new occurrences.

Must I be subjected to watching students fail to quietly leave in the middle of my high-priority lectures?

How long should I have to stand the hoard of students running around in every direction I turn? How often can I ignore the buzzing of the daily BeReal notifications against the unstable lecture tables?

There has to be another way. I might just quit teaching and start pursuing a career as a business influencer. At the very least, the people who will consume my content will actually somewhat care for it.”

Comments have been edited for length and clarity.

Tries: Swimming to survive Photos by Thea Gribilas The Eyeopener’s news team has accomplished several feats so far this year. They unveiled that the Toronto Metropolitan Students’ Union released confidential information to student group executives and continued to hold those in positions of power to account. However, on Monday, The Eye’s news editors achieved their most greatest accomplishment of all: learning how to swim.

Prapti Bamaniya and Edward Djan made a splash at the Recreation and Athletic Centre pool, dipping their toes into the possibility of answering “swim” in the infamous question: Sink or swim?

According to Bamaniya, the 45-minute session flew by. When rating their capability to swim to survive following the lesson on a scale of 1 to 5, both editors gave 10 raisin-esque toes up while paddling in the pool. In fact, Bamaniya and Djan said they look forward to the next time they will get to “Seas the day.”

Djan said his next challenge is to swim in Lake Ontario—not across, just in the lake.

“If I don’t make it, tell the Toronto Metropolitan University communications team I love them,” he said solemnly.

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