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See on Page 08 >> Advice for New Students: Making the most of your opportunities Upper-years discuss the importance of trying out interesting opportunities and share the abundant resources at UTM that can help you navigate your needs and interests.
Issue 4 Volume 53 September 28, 2026
READ ON PAGE 06>> Our Universities should be doing more to address Sexual Violence. One in 10 of women on campus are sexually assaulted during the academic year. Our university’s answer is sexual assault awareness modules and a court hearing that lasts two years.
COVER ART BY ROJIN HAJIABBASALI
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NEWS
Editor | Natalie Ramadan news@themedium.ca
Experiential Education Unit hosts two-day fair for students, faculty, and alumni
The annual event showcased networking and for-credit opportunities for students.
ential learning opportunities available at UTM. EEU’s core programming includes Academic Internships, Community Engaged Learning, the Research Opportunity Program, Field Courses, and, most recently, the Co-op Internship Program, which launched in fall 2024. UTM is the last campus across U of T’s tricampus community to implement co-op internship programs.
Natalie Ramadan News Editor
Available opportunities Acting Manager, Experiential Education Rima Abu-Shakra, shared an extensive list of opportunities that the EEU offers UTM students. Abu-Shakra shared that during the Connection Space portion of the fair, the University Health Network (UHN) was a popular partner among students. The UHN representative engaged with students in biology and chemical and physical sciences. They outlined the possible journey for students, starting with the many opportunities the EEU provides to work alongside UHN. Rena Banwait, director of experiential education and community engagement, shared, “This was based on student demand and employers’ interest — which is really exciting.” She added, “We want students to continuously be curious about experiential learning.” The Research Showcase included approximately 80 students who presented throughout the day.
Photo Credits: Aaron Calpito
Begum Seri, a fifth-year student specializing in psychology and minoring in education studies, presented her research project—The Impact of Inducing SelfTranscendent Emotions on Wellbeing.
he Experiential Education Unit (EEU) hosted its annual Experiential EduT cation Fair on September 22 and 23. The two-day event featured an under- Seri shared, “I decided to present because there are different disciplines here. And graduate research showcase, information sessions, tabling, and discussions with students are coming to learn about these programs.” She was excited to share her academic units, external partners, and students.
The event comprised information sessions featuring campus partners and external partners, and opportunities for students to learn and ask questions about forcredit experiential learning opportunities at UTM. Student representatives from the EEU, UTM Students’ Union, and the Reach Alliance tabled at the fair with staff and faculty. They connected with students and shared information about the wide range of experiential learning opportunities available across different programs. Last year’s EEU Fair was a one-day event which only featured an undergraduate research showcase. This year, it has extended to a two-day event. The turnout and engagement exceeded expectations. Associate Dean of Experiential Learning Dr. Vivienne Luk described the advantages of a two-day format in an interview with The Medium. “On the first day, students could discover opportunities and begin asking questions about how to get involved.” She continued, “On the second day, students could see examples of what those experiences can lead to by speaking with students who had already taken that next step.” The event was open to all students interested in learning about for-credit experi-
experience with peers and provide advice on presenting. Seri said, “You connect with people, learn about other research and how to get involved.” Dr. Luk echoed this sentiment. “Experiential learning is not simply about gaining experience, it is about helping students transition from seeing themselves primarily as learners to seeing themselves as professionals, researchers, leaders, and contributors to society.” The EEU hosts multiple events throughout the academic year, tailored to highlight the different types of experiential learning opportunities available to students. One of these initiatives is the Lecture Me! series, which showcases research by UTM faculty from various academic disciplines in an engaging and accessible way for the broader community at the Hazel McCallion Central Library in Mississauga. The next Lecture Me! event will take place on October 6, featuring Dr. Christina Vanden Bosch der Nederlanden. She will share her research in a talk themed, “Learning to Communicate: How Do We Pay Attention to What’s Relevant in Our Busy Auditory World?” Interested students can drop by from 7 to 8:15 p.m. to learn how humans become fluent in music and language.
Four new clubs enhance creativity, career opportunities, and sense of community at UTM
The four new student organizations are bringing opportunities for students to be creative, plan for their healthcare career, hone leadership skills, and explore the science behind food.
Emma Bedja Contributor
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he Basgiath Creators Guild (BCG), the UTM Future Surgeons Society (FSS), the Empire Foundation Club, and UTM FoodLab are newly formed clubs. They each have abundant events planned for the academic year, ranging from creative competitions and assistance in medical school applications to networking events and hands-on food experiments.
The Basgiath Creators Guild The BCG is bringing students together through creative projects, events, and an online community focused on anime and other interests. Although the club is based at UTM, its Discord community is open to students from different schools, programs, and backgrounds. One of the club’s planned events is an open-ended creative competition, where students can submit original works like writings and illustrations. While the prize remains a mystery, the competition is intended to provide space for students to share their work.
Kayla, who preferred to reveal only her last name, is the president of the BCG. She shared that the club’s goal is to give students something to look forward to throughout the school year. “Coming to school felt like a chore, and [the executive team] wanted to make something for people to look forward to,” she said. Kayla shared she had previously looked for book clubs but found that many did not offer the inclusivity or range of interests she was looking for. Through joining the BCG, she hopes students will be more than a name on its members’ list. Instead, she encourages students to be part of a meaningful community and events.
03 UTM Future Surgeons Society Students interested in medicine and other health-related careers can find programming through the UTM FSS. The club is open to students interested in medical or graduate studies, as well as those who want to learn more about careers in healthcare. Students do not have to be in medicine-related programs to join. The society is working with Apply Yourself Global, an admissions consulting firm, to connect students with resources for standardized exams, including the MCAT, the LSAT, and information on international medical school applications. Vice-President of Communications Humna Khan shares that the society provides a platform for students to explore the path to medical school alongside peers with similar interests. A main question Khan hopes to help students answer is, “Where do I start my journey to medical school?” Upcoming events at the UTM FSS include a Blood Drive in collaboration with Canadian Blood Services on September 29 to 30 at the Kaneff Centre. The Empire Club Foundation The Empire Club Foundation is bringing mentorship, leadership, networking opportunities, and discussions about Canada’s future to UTM. Students can expect general meetings, panels, and one-on-one sessions with professionals in fields of their interests. UTM alum Manisha Biring, a student in the Master of Urban Innovation program and graduate representative of the Canadian non-profit organization, said the organization aims to help students consider their role in shaping Canada’s future. “We want to create a space where students can connect, build leadership skills, and think about what they want Canada to look like,” Biring said. The club also plans to host a tri-campus initiative involving students from UTM, UTSG, and Trent University. The initiative will provide students an opportunity to connect across campuses and participate in discussions outside UTM.
Illustrated by Adanna Scott The club was co-founded by fourth-year biology for health sciences students Amman Ahmed and Lyndon, who preferred to only reveal their last name. It was created as an alternative to the many existing medicine-science-focused organizations at UTM. UTM FoodLab plans to explore topics including nutrition, food safety, and the science behind the taste and properties of different foods and drinks. Events will be open to students from all programs, with no prior science experience required. Lyndon said the club aims to make these topics accessible to students while exploring the science behind food.
UTM FoodLab
One of the club’s first major events will be a DIY ice cream-making experiment. The event will combine hands-on experimentation with an introduction to the science behind ice cream.
UTM FoodLab is perfect for students interested in the science behind food.
With their first events getting underway this fall, the four clubs are building new and exciting communities at UTM.
Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing expands to UTM campus
The expansion brings one of the world’s top 10 nursing schools closer to students in Mississauga.
Camille Dornellas Contributor
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n the Fall of 2026, UTM received its first cohort of students for The Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing accelerated two-year bachelor of science in nursing (BScN) program. The expansion is an attempt by the university to make health care programs more accessible for students.
undergraduate class. They have the same program objectives, learning outcomes, number of clinical hours, and courses. This is possible because some classes are available online for students. When questioned about the logistics of this decision, Beekhoo assured that the university is working to make UTM nursing students feel integrated with the rest of the program. “The way we are dealing
Bloomberg Nursing is recognized as one of the top 10 schools in the world for both education and research. The program, usually offered at the St. George campus, has expanded to UTM and accepted 30 new students for the new academic year.
She said that the expansion was built on the question, “How can [Bloomberg Nursing] engage with the community and have our students feel part of that?” All 30 students at the UTM campus and 240 at the St. George campus, are considered part of the same
The UTM cohort already had their first classes, and their opinions towards the program are positive. Sruthi Mulpur, one of the new UTM nursing students, shared, “My first impressions of the program have been very positive… The faculty has been very approachable and willing to help. Whether it’s professors, administrative staff, or people involved in student support.” According to Mulpur, there is a “range of experience” among the faculty members, such as professors with backgrounds in teaching, registered nurses, and practitioners. Even though the semester just started, she believes that the nursing program is already giving students a “strong foundation” and exposing them to different paths in nursing.
During the application process, students can indicate their preferred campus. But aside from location, there will be no differences between the program at St. George and UTM. In an interview with The Medium, Associate Professor Zoraida Beekhoo shared that this expansion not only aims to increase student enrolment, but also offers a chance for future nurses to return something to their community and feel like they belong.
their placement. The Bloomberg Nursing program offers placements in both areas.
Illustrated by Miya Kwan with the level of engagement is that a faculty member—myself, for now—is actually in the class with them at UTM, to help engage them.” The nursing program at U of T provides clinical placement options in eight different areas. According to Beekhoo, students in other nursing programs learn, for example, about paediatrics and maternalchild care, but must choose between the two during
Mulpur also considers the program’s expansion to UTM a positive development for the Mississauga community. “I completed my undergraduate degree at UTM and also live in Mississauga. So, being able to return to the campus for nursing has made the program very meaningful to me personally.” She believes that this expansion allows students to remain closer to their homes while still being a part of U of T. On September 29, Bloomberg Nursing will be tabling at the Graduate and Professional School Fair, hosted by the UTM Career Centre.
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Regenesis leads apple picking field trip at King City Royal Orchards
UTM students participated in Regenesis’ community-led approach to sustainability through apple-picking in King City. Roy Su Contributor
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n September 19, UTM students traded classrooms for rows of apple trees during a Regenesis trip to the Royal Orchards, a sustainable partner farm in King City, alongside students from York University and Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).
President of Regenesis UTM Iman Ghaus said the UTM chapter is focused on creating studentled initiatives that make sustainable choices more practical and accessible on campus. These initiatives include programs such as the Free Store, the Borrowing Centre, the Regenesis Food Market, and UTM BikeShare. These initiatives are designed to encourage students to reuse
For $10, participants got bus transportation to the orchard, where they spent Saturday picking apples for $2.35 per pound. The event provided students an affordable opportunity to get off campus, spend time outdoors, and connect with other students while learning more about food, agriculture, and sustainability.
As many students are impacted by inflation, the Free Store and the Borrowing Centre are becoming more significant. Having access to free or shared resources can make a meaningful difference for students affected by OSAP cuts and increased tuition costs.
Regenesis began in 2007, when Mike was a student at York University. He was disappointed by how few sustainability organizations were focused on local grassroots action. He believed that meaningful change should start at a smaller scale, within communities themselves.
Since then, the organization has grown. As of 2026, Regenesis has expanded to five different locations in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) at several university campuses. That includes U of T’s tri-campuses, York, and TMU.
Similar to the Borrowing Centre, the Free Store follows the same philosophy. What differs is that donated items are made available at no cost. People can donate items they no longer need, while students can take items that may otherwise have been thrown away or left unused. Mike shared that the demand for the Free Store is especially noticeable. People rushed to get items when new resources became available. Demand became so high that Regenesis eventually implemented student ID checks and usage limits to maintain equitable distribution of resources.
Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of Regenesis Michael Jodah, who prefers to go by Mike, shared Regenesis’ roots in an interview with The Medium.
Mike saw Regenesis as a way to demonstrate that a community-led way of living was possible. By creating practical and grassroots initiatives, he hoped that the organization could inspire people to think about a future where a community-led, sustainable, and independent way of living is possible.
UTM BikeShare follows the same principle by giving students access to bicycles for up to seven days without cost. It provides an environmentally friendly mode of transportation for students— cycling as an alternative to driving.
The Apple Picking trip embodies the philosophy of Regenesis by letting students partake in an activity connected to local food and agriculture.
Illustrated by Hafsah Raheel and share resources, ultimately lowering consumption. The Borrowing Centre allows students to temporarily access items that they may only need for a short period of time for up to seven days. Items such as air fryers, speakers, and other equipment are popular and useful for students, clubs, and short events. This not only helps reduce unnecessary consumption, but also lowers costs for students.
OPINION
Through exposing students to a variety of apples, a locally owned food truck, and local musicians, the apple-picking trip was Regenesis’ attempt to show students what a community-led way of living can look like in practice. Regenesis UTM will be hosting a DIY Tote Bag Workshop on September 28, followed by a Thrift Shop Bus Tour through Toronto on October 3. Students can register for both events on UTM Regenesis’ Instagram page, @regenesis.utm.
Editor | Mashiyat Ahmed opinion@themedium.ca
Bisexuality as social resistance
Why do bisexual people have to fight for their place within the queer community? Sofia Benard Contributor
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s we slowly settle into the colder fall season, many of us desire to find that special someone. When it comes to sexuality, our time at university allows us to experiment with new possibilities and meet new people who may potentially become our first or next relationship. There is a sad running joke within the bisexual community that us bisexuals cannot make a choice between dating a woman or a man. Despite the strange autonomy and challenges navigating university brings to our dating lives, bisexual folks, like myself, must also manage the never-ending double-standards that come with being the bisexual. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, biophobia or bi-negativity is defined as negative attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours towards bisexual individuals. Biphobia manifests in various forms, including erasure of bisexuality—usually through suggestions or implications that bisexuals are either just straight, gay, or in denial— stereotyping, harassment, and exclusion.
This prejudice often stems from misconceptions and societal stigmas surrounding non-monosexual orientations. In 2026, biphobic attitudes are all too present, and yet remains one of the least addressed forms of discrimination towards those who identify as queer. In fact, research shows that bisexuals are at a far greater risk for mental health concerns than compared to their monosexual peers—such as straight, gay, and lesbain individuals—due to the stress of having to navigate an identity that isn’t easy to digest by society. Whilst the younger generations have shown increasing receptiveness towards bisexuality, which allows for society to internalize more accurate depictions of what it means to be bisexual, we still experience an unspoken weight of oppression rooted in exclusion not only from mainstream, heternormative society, but also from within the queer community itself. Those who identify as bisexual often feel the need to justify their sexuality as if it were something to be argued in a court. Even a bisexual who balances dating equally between genders may be dismissed as confused, experimental, or simply being indecisive. Unfortunately, as bisexuals, we often experi-
05 ence internalized doubt, notably when we do not fit the traditional stereotype of a “bisexual-looking” individual. This connects us back to the concept of “looking queer,” which is particularly damaging; being in a heterosexual relationship as a bisexual does not erase our sexuality. And ironically, people never demand proof of someone who is straight or gay. A major contributing issue to our lack of visibility comes from society wanting to put people into specific boxes that confine who we are and what opportunities to explore our expression and sexuality are allowed. Someone who is monosexual has a distinct category of attraction that they fall into. A bisexual person challenges these norms and refuses to fall into a clean-cut and totally arbitrary category. We are both attracted to multiple identity expressions at once, and this attraction can vary in strength, consistency, and duration across a lifetime. This does not make it any less legitimate as a sexuality. In fact, the flexibility and the supposed noncategorizable nature of bisexual is our greatest strength as bisexuals: it helps reveal the dormant prejudices and underlying colonial and exclusionary thinking that the queer community—and by large, progressive society— claims to condemn. We do not choose to be attracted to men and women, nor do we choose how intense or balanced this attraction may be. It is time to stop treating bisexuality as confusion or indecision, and start considering that the social binary that polices our identities itself may be the issue. This invisibility we experience in regard to our sexuality has real consequences on our own sense of self and identity. When treated as less legitimate, bisexuals may fear opening up about their sexuality out of fear of being seen as attention-seeking, or unable to commit. That judgement does not cease to exist when entering into LGBTQIA+ spaces. What justifies the accusations— sometimes dressed as jokes—of being “half-gay” and “half-straight?” What justifies having our hardships and marginalization diminished since we have the “option” of heterosexual relationships, or being labeled as promiscuous and incapable of monogamy? We should not be afraid to speak up about how members of the LGBTQIA+ community can be complicit in reproducing biphobic rhetoric—whether that’s just a passing comment, a light joke, or the fact that some queer mono-sexuals just refuse to date bisexual people. If we cannot hold members of our own community accountable under the pretense that queer people cannot reproduce anti-queer discrimination, then can we really expect the rest of the world to change?
MASTHEAD EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Samuel Kamalendran editor@themedium.ca Managing Aaron Calpito managing@themedium.ca The B in LGBTQIA+ may appear to show inclusion and acceptance on paper, but this does not translate into practice when our worthiness as romantic partners casually comes into question by other queer folks. Queer liberation was originally born out of the ideology that gender binaries are social constructs, and that everyone should be free to not conform to expectations about who they should be. The fact bisexuality continues to be one of the most misunderstood and policed identities proves to us that the discourse is not as open as it should be: the weight that stereotyping is able to put on the shoulders of someone who already suffers from self-doubt can be crippling. Feeling rejected both outside and within one’s community that is supposed to be as a safe space leaves us suspended in a suffocating in-between. Creating a truly inclusive space would mean not categorizing bisexuals as gay or straight depending on their choice of partner. True inclusion would mean allowing us to define our own identity rather than demanding equal attraction, a particular pattern of dating, or a physical appearance as proof. Thankfully, bisexuals refuse to stay in the shadows and be spoken and (mis) understood for, and many incredible opportunities to understand the bisexual experience are opening up every day. At the end of the day, we all have to live on the same planet, breathe the same air, gaze upon the same sun and moon. If the world, notably the LGBTQIA+ community, is meant to be a place where everyone belongs, then bisexuals should never be fighting to feel like they have a place in it. Just like other queer and heterosexual identities, bisexuality has been around for thousands of years. We are already here—why is it so difficult to create a place for us as well?
We don’t lack love, we lack definition If to be loved is to be seen, who are we really seeing? Mashiyat Ahmed Opinion Editor
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his is not a dissertation on love or romance. This is not an analysis of love based on biology, sociohistorical philosophy, or politics. I don’t have the time nor do I feel emboldened enough to dissect love, especially when others have done it for me. Truthfully, I don’t know what this is. But I do feel compelled, in my opinion, to diagnose how our modern interpretation—or lack thereof—of love ails us, stifles our human and interpersonal potential, and creates endless cycles of grief. I’m not a love diagnostician. But I’m also not afraid to say that many people I know are… categorically bad boyfriends, girlfriends, partners, and friends. Women I know are confused, burdened, their existence unnurtured by the great liberator that was supposed to be love! We’re not bad lovers out of malice or intention, but out of design. An obsession with “love” permeates our digital and real-life worlds. Why wouldn’t it? I for one am young, zesty, smart, beautiful, and too full of life to not be open to the whimsies of romance! Yet, our culture valorizes romantic love, socially rewards it, and then has the au
dacity to accept its validity only on the strict basis that it meets standards and aesthetics set out by patriarchal and colonial ideas. The media feeds us sanitized relationships between pretty people; music lyricizes love as a desirable addiction; and love is a commodity under the economic logic of neoliberal capitalism. I’m tired of living in a generation that occupies so much of its time with the feeling of love and desire, yet struggles to actually build and keep connections.
News Natalie Ramadan news@themedium.ca Opinion Mashiyat Ahmed opinion@themedium.ca Features Madhav Ajayamohan features@themedium.ca A&E Diana Varzideh arts@themedium.ca Sports Tyler Mederiros sports@themedium.ca Photo Melody Zhou photos@themedium.ca Design Sehaj Wander design@themedium.ca Social Media Jannine Uy social@themedium.ca Videographer Samm Mohibuddin video@themedium.ca Copy Yasmine Benabderrahmane yasmine@themedium.ca Gisele Tang gisele@themedium.ca
We love to love the idea of love—we love to desire it and flail in its pool of liquid dopamine and oxytocin— but when it comes down to it, some of us are bad lovers. We’re unhappy and discouraged by the one thing that matters most. But even though patriarchy, colonialism, and our capitalist agendas have conspired to fracture how we experience love, I want to focus on how our lack of a working definition of love—as opposed to a bundle of feelings—affects our relationships. We’ve romanticized love to the point of obscurity, to the point where many of us don’t know how to be a good lover or what love truly is because we—by education and observation, by design—have learned to see love as something reduced down to a set of vague emo-
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06 hold myself accountable too. Knowing someone deeply is a wonderful gift and something that takes work, but it’s ultimately too intellectual for me. In other words, don’t be fooled into thinking a guy really loves you because he remembered your childhood brand of toothpaste or why you’ll hate that movie over the other. Even with deeper things, a similar sentiment holds true. I don’t mean to devalue the art of knowing someone—of peeling back their onion-like layers of insecurity and complexity with warmth and care—just because it’s impossible to know someone fully. Instead, I believe we should learn to see love as the daily work of persisting in accepting all forms and versions of that person—even in argument, in inconvenience, in distaste, in the cracks of life where it feels like you don’t know them anymore. Love is taking the patience, time, intention, and commitment to understand new versions of someone as they emerge, as life remakes you and them in concert.
Photo Credits: Mashiyat Ahmed ions and ur desires are partly manufactured. I believe that the central problem is that we seem to be lacking a definition of love that can actually be practiced and enforced—defined by intentions and patterns of behavior, and not by emotions. Love is natural, honesty, fidelity, patience, kindness, respect, endurance, someone who is invested in mutual growth, love is well-intentioned desire, love is this, that, love is, love, love— love is so much that sometimes, it feels like nothing at all. In a scramble to find a definition that serves us, many people—the writers and poets mainly—say that to love someone is to know someone, to see them wholly and not as individual pieces that you individually love. I know you, I remember you is somehow more intimate than I love you. I think this is true. Of course, you can’t claim to love someone if you don’t know them—if you do, then whatever you feel is not love and I think we all know that. But this idea too of knowing someone in all their complexity and fullness, especially when the very nature of selfhood is dynamic, and epistemically and emotionally inaccessible to everyone except the subject is… romantic and half the story at best. I’d be flustered too if my ex from three years ago still remembered what brand of toothpaste I used as a child or exactly why I might like Before Sunrise (1994) over Before Sunset (2004). He knows me, and maybe at some point, he loved me. But is that love? Maybe. But my definition of love sees love as something actionable, something I can
For me, I think love ultimately boils down less to being fully understood and more to being genuinely accepted as someone who exists in the present. Not clung to as a past version of who I was, and not constantly measured against an idealized future version of who I could become. Love looks like recognizing who someone is, where they’ve come from, and what they desire, while still respecting their autonomy and capacity to change. Love is the warmth and practice of knowing that I’ll make an effort to relearn their body and mind even after it has been changed by the throes of life. I love you because I am constantly curious about you without pretense or predispositions. I love you because I’m willing to change you and be changed by you. Like I said, a lot of love is miscredited, mis-ascribed, and misunderstood by how our society—institutions, education, media, stories, generational teachings—propagates and validates love. Love as merely a feeling to be felt rather than something nurtured through action over time has, in my not-so-original opinion, done damage. The point is that our collective and generational confusion with love is by design, and therefore, can be changed by our actions and how we show up in our personal relationships. To practice love as a function of consistency is not easy because identity and experience is so dynamic. But I think it helps when we clear out the clutter and noise of love—the rules, expectations, and previously dysfunctional iterations of this so-called thing that we’ve internalized. In doing so, with a dose of courage and self-clarity, does a more honest and healthier vision of love emerge. When we redefine love for what it is, we can begin to filter out the noise and reach for something more truthful. But hey, what do I know? I’m just a girl who writes.
Our universities should be doing more to address sexual violence One in 10 of women on campus are sexually assaulted during the academic year. Our university’s answer is sexual assault awareness modules and a court hearing that lasts two years. Atif Azam Contributor
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n September 14th, a former student at Cornell University filed a lawsuit against the university and the Chi Phi fraternity, alleging she was drugged and raped at the fraternity house by seven of its members in October 2024. The accused were offered the chance to rectify their actions by submitting reflective essays about their actions—the complainant alleged that Cornell’s response was an institutional failure. However, nothing has been proven in court, and Cornell has declined to comment on the litigation.
volunteers, campus staff, faculty, and students are urged to complete a mandatory online module: Building a Culture of Consent at the University of Toronto, developed and offered by the Sexual Violence Prevention and Support (SVPS) Centre. This module is designed to educate individuals on how to foster a culture of consent, healthy boundaries, and effective communication.
According to U of T’s 2024-25 report on activity, the SVPS Centre reached more than 5,000 incoming students and its education programming reached 17,448 people over the year. As we settle into a new academic year, the educational support offered by the SVPS Centre remains research-driven, professional, and well-meaning: know the signs, know We all know how the news algorithm treats stories how to intervene, and where to report an incidence like this: within a few weeks, the case will disap- of sexual violence. The message beneath it is simpear from the news and so will peoples’ attention. pler: your safety is your job. As this case, and countless others, become just another headline, what will remain it its wake is the Statistics Canada’s most recent national survey of systemic rape culture within our academic institu- postsecondary students, conducted in 2019, shows tions. The question the Cornell University’s case that in a year, one in 10 women on campus—or raises is not uniquely “American.” It points towards around 11 percent—experience sexual assault in an uncomfortable question of whether universities a postsecondary setting, and 15 percent at some treat sexual violence as something students should point during their studies. Fewer than one in 10 be taught to avoid or something institutions must survivors of sexual assault reported to anyone consystemically answer. nected to their school. Half of them did not know their university’s procedure for handling a report, Every September, the University of Toronto (U of and awareness was lowest among first-year stuT) welcomes thousands of first-year students to ori- dents— the group orientation is built for. Among entation—a week-long worth of events designed to the women who have been assaulted, 60 percent introduce students to campus resources, what their said they became more cautious afterwards, 18 peracademic journeys hold, and future classmates cent avoided specific buildings at school, and nine and friends. During this time, orientation leaders, percent stopped going to some of their classes. That
is what vigilance looks like, when it is the only tool a student is given. But the onus to handle and process a incidence of sexual assault does not and should not fall on individual students and community members alone. Our universities has a job, too, and it is written in the Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment, which took effect in Junuary 1, 2026. This Policy promises to conclude cases of assault within 12 months, however, the same policy exempts Code of Student Conduct hearings—which are formal, non-academic disciplinary proceedings overseen by an appointed Hearing Officer—from that deadline. This is not the first time our university’s sexual violence case processing duration or its overall institutional response have come under criticism for being long and drawn out—a process which may leave many survivors feeling uncertain and confused during an already difficult period of their studies. The 2022 review of the Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment recommended “increased institutional accountability” through robust annual reporting. The 2025 review added recommended timeline and reprisal protections. Each review has produced more reporting and more processes. The question is what story do these reports tell about the experiences of survivors on our campuses. What does U of T’s own reports actually show? I believe these reports show a funnel. In the 202425 academic year, the SVPS Centre received 208 disclosures. 50 became reports. The university closed 35 cases; 19 were investigated, nine were
07 resolved through a facilitated process, and seven did not proceed. Of the 19 investigated, three went to a hearing. These hearings took a median of 23 months. Because a breach of policy by a student can only be found at hearing, 16 of those 19 cases closed with no finding either way. On top of this, the year’s outcome for student respondents included 16 no contact orders, nine training assignments, two reprimands, one suspension and no expulsion. From the 208 people who disclosed an incident of sexual violence, one suspension was confirmed.
Illutrated by Shanna Wong
There are fair objections to reading the numbers this way, and they deserve to be stated in full strength. The first is procedural fairness. The policy owes a respondent the right to know the allegations, to answer them, and to make an impartial decision, and the university cannot suspend or expel students without that process. A low number of sanctions may mean allegations were not proven and not necessarily that the university looked away. We should also consider the improvements U of T is making: last year, closed cases more than doubled, and median time to a facilitated agreement fell from nearly 12 months to under five. In addition to these numbers, the new policy also expands the definition of reprisal to better protect those who disclose an assault, while also updating the terms of cyber sexual violence, a growing and often overlooked for of violence within our communities. Both of these objections are true and important indicators of how far our institutions have come historically, but none of them address the problem. Fairness explains why case processing times are slow. It does not explain why the policy exempts hearing from any timeline at all or why the system is designed so that its most common outcome is no outcome. Autonomy is real, but in my opinion, a choice between a facilitated resolution now and a hearing that takes two years is not a free choice—it is a choice the system has already made for you. Treating sexual violence as an institutional problem rather than an individual one does not require a new policy. It requires the existing one to apply to the institution. I believe that changes to how the university structures and communicates information about processes and procedures should change to reflect a response that sexual violence is a institutional responsibility, a response that dignifies the experiences and voices of survivors. For example, the 12-month target to hearings promise should be applied to cases involving students, or, at the very least, explain why it cannot be applied to student hearings. In addition, I believe the university should improve how it communicates to the student body: sexual violence reports or breakdowns should be campus-specific rather than handled as a tri-campus total. It is also cruicial—for the sake of transparency and institutional acountability—to have each annual report explain why
FEATURES
cases close without a finding. Resourcing the SVPS Centre at University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) as a full office rather than an extension of the one in downtown also goes a long way in supporting students. None of these changes would ask U of T to do anything it has not already promised. The Cornell University lawsuit will be settled or dismissed, and in either case, potentially forgotten. If the allegations about the essays are true, those essays will have been written and filed. What outlasts all of this is the process that made the consequences an acceptable answer. Students did not build the culture of sexual violence they are told to navigate. The institution did, and therefore, it is the only party with the power to change it. As much as I believe individual students should foster a campus free of sexual violence—whether that’s through online modules, providing peer support to their friends, or learning how to file a report—the university’s power and responsibility to implement structural change should never be outsourced to individual good-faith actors. At the end, students must absorb the consequences of institutional inaction or stagnation—therefore, we must demand better.
Editor | Madhav Ajayamohan features@themedium.ca
Reflections on UTM Orientation: How welcoming are we? Two first-years’ honest reviews of orientation’s impact. Duaa Umer Contributor
Krittika Bhateja Contributor
My misadventures as a first-year first floor—don’t even get me started By Duaa Umer on the second floor.
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y first impression of UTM was during UTM’s orientation week. My thoughts? Wow, this place is HUGE! The William G. Davis (DV) Building alone is bigger than my reserved local high school could ever hope to be. Now imagine my reaction when I found out that there are 28 more buildings on campus, the main six being just as big as Davis!
It was all very exciting, and maybe even a bit overwhelming. My friends and I eagerly jumped from booth to booth, where each artist blew us away. We chatted with upper-year students about their courses and experiences, and garnered any crumbs of wisdom they dropped for us. We enjoyed ourselves—maybe a bit too much.
I am sure many other first years were also shocked at the sheer volume and liveliness of the campus during orientation week. I remember the Student Centre being full during the Premier 26’.
By the time we finally made it back to DV for campus tours, the line wrapped around itself, twice! A volunteer handing out tour tickets told us she didn’t think we’d make it to our turn before tours for the day ended. She suggested we try our luck with the Students and activities drew our at- QR code for the digital tour instead. tention in every way. We could do face painting, henna, portraits, enjoy So I walked into that first week of unifood, and more! And that was just the versity with the confidence of a blind
Photo Credits: @utmsuorientation
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duck. I followed the flow of student traffic, not knowing the basic campus layout or good places to eat, let alone where my lectures were. Although, from asking around, I knew I wasn’t alone. A first-year I met in the library elevator showed me her “map of shame” while sharing her own story. “I got lost and asked around so much that the lady recognized me. She gave me a physical map, and circled my classes for me,” she laughed. “Oh my God, I feel like a time traveller holding this thing up to my face, trying to figure out where I’m supposed to go.” Meanwhile, a peer from my PSY100 lab shared that she walked into the wrong lecture three times in a row since classes started. “It was so embarrassing,” she groaned. Someone from BIO152 told me she set her schedule as her lock screen to avoid getting lost. My best friend showed me how she synchronized her classes to her calendar app to avoid being late. The list of stories only goes on. Connecting with other first-year students through this universal experience made me realize something important—the transition from high school to university is jarring. We go straight from senior year all the way back to first year. We were the big fish in little ponds. Now we are guppies in the ocean. For many, the beginning of university marks the beginning of adulthood, which comes with more independence. Living on our own, managing our own expenses, exploring our own paths—it is all about making our own decisions. What many find hard to admit is that independence
also comes with fear—the fear of having to do it all alone, and doing it wrong. Our future rests on our shoulders. Everything we do counts. These are subconscious thoughts many first-years have, which dampen our excitement for university with worry. When these thoughts surface, I remind myself of orientation week: the people who smiled and pointed me in the right direction, the numerous resources and help facilities available for students who feel lost like me, and how welcomed I felt the moment I stepped into this university. Whether it is general staff, upper years, or other first years navigating the same confusion, there’s always someone who gets it. No matter how big the campus may be, there are always people close by, willing to help. You don’t have to have it all figured out on your own just yet. How orientation helped an introvert integrate with UTM’s social life By Krittika Bhateja Orientation welcomes first-years to university through social events designed to make a lasting impact and help kickstart their new phase of life. But how much does orientation actually help students prepare themselves for this transition? Personally, orientation helped me integrate into my university social life. With over 130 activities, UTM first-years like myself had a variety of events to choose from. From educational sessions like Academic Planning 101 to more fun, social activities like Capture the Eagle, there was something for everyone.
As an introvert, I leaned towards some of the lowerenergy activities. I found the Facilitated Study Groups event especially informative about the resources and additional support available to me outside of office hours and tutorials. Other informative sessions which I found helpful include Commuter 101, The Key to Forensics, and the Resource and Student Group fairs. Let’s not forget UTM Students’ Union’s (UTMSU) Premiere ‘26 events. From the Student Centre Debut, After Party, and Action Day to the Premiere Night and Paint and Glow, UTMSU events were the most anticipated activities throughout the week. The board game-oriented sessions were my favourite, because they were a great way to meet new people and the energy was constantly high. Some card games were calm, while some rounds of Secret Hitler got heated fast. It’s hard not to make friends in such a welcoming environment, especially if you participate in various activities throughout orientation week. Another thing that I noticed is that orientation helped me redevelop my social skills. After four years of seeing and talking to the same community, socializing with new faces wasn’t something that came easily to me. Even though I don’t see many of the friends I made during orientation week (mostly due to being in different programs and having different schedules), the initial transition period helped me become more comfortable putting myself out there. During the first week, the campus was filled with a spirited energy that was definitely felt by many. Even though orientation is a soft launch into the true experience of university, I found it to be a helpful stepping stone as I started my first year here at UTM.
Advice for new students: Making the most of your opportunities
Upper-years discuss the importance of trying out interesting opportunities and share the abundant resources at UTM that can help you navigate your needs and interests. Maryam Raheel Contributor
Maaz Ahtesham Contributor
Don’t reject yourself before giving it a try By Maryam Raheel
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t some point in university, it is going to feel like everyone has cracked the code for academic success and you are left wondering what went wrong for you. Everywhere you look, someone has landed a research position, joined a lab, secured an internship, or somehow launched a startup. By the winter semester of my second year, I started to feel like my academic endeavours weren’t enough. I would spend hours staring at my barebones resume, wondering how I could make a low-level club position sound more impressive than it actually was. I was constantly reminded of how few skills I had as I scrolled through job boards and postings of various opportunities. When I found a position that suited my interests, I would read the qualifications, glance despairingly at my resume, read the requirements again, and convince myself it wasn’t worth it to apply. Chances were, someone else had a higher GPA, more experience and better connections. Looking back, the only skill I honed was self-rejection. Eventually, I stopped treating applications like a numbers game and began viewing them as inten-
tional explorations. Blindly throwing my ring in the arena and hoping it would land wasn’t going to get me anywhere. If a role genuinely sparked my curiosity, I would apply and let reviewers decide whether I was the right fit. Most applications led to nowhere. Some led to interviews that also went nowhere. Then, one unexpected “yes” introduced me to health policy research, a field that changed the trajectory of my academic and professional life. I had a biology background, but no policy experience that is preferred for the role. Yet, this one “yes” pushed me toward the career I am building today. University can feel like a race to collect impressive titles and fill every blank space on your resume, when it’s actually one of the few times in your life where exploration is an important part of your journey.
you access to invaluable resources that can set you up regardless of what your main goals are. After my first year, I set out to manage a music community. I was able to do it with help from the UTM Students’ Union and the Centre for Student Engagement. Both provided a list of clubs on campus and other resources that helped me join and grow alongside the Harmonix Music Club for what ended up being the better part of four years of my university experience. In my second year, I combined my interests in music and writing at the St. George campus by contributing to “The University of Toronto’s only music magazine,” Demo Magazine. The downtown campus contains a greater variety of courses and communities (and much to my benefit, an ice rink) for students to explore their interests.
Understanding your opportunity By Maaz Ahtesham
Near the end of my third year, I caught wind of the Research Opportunity Program offered by the Experiential Education Unit (EEU), a department focused on educational opportunities outside of regular courses. Through the EEU, I got an opportunity to spend the summer unearthing local history at UTM’s neighbouring church, St. Peter’s Anglican Erindale.
When I started university, I had one goal written with a red dry-erase marker: “MAKE CONNECTIONS.” I knew that this could not be accomplished through simply completing coursework, and I discovered that being a UTM student grants
In my fourth year, I discovered a work-study position in the Department of Historical Studies through the Career & Co-Curricular Learning Network (CLNx). I ended up gaining professional experience while working in the department of
My advice is to stop rejecting opportunities before giving them a try. Sometimes, the door that changes your future is the one you almost convinced yourself not to knock on.
09 of my major. In my fifth and final year, despite the slow onslaught of senioritis, I made one final effort and joined The Medium. I carried my love for fieldwork to journalism through participating in and reporting events, as well as interviewing the campus community. Academic and career assistance is also available everywhere on campus. Don’t be afraid to connect with professors through email and office hours (you might just end up having a chocolate cake, as I did). If you have questions about your degree, there are academic advisors in each department to assist with your individual needs. The UTM Career Centre is also available to help kick-start your professional life. If you have any questions or concerns about physical or mental health, the Health and Counselling Centre is ready to support you. No matter what your goals, interests, or needs are, UTM provides plenty of resources. Don’t hesitate to reach out, to plan your future, and make the most of your time (and tuition)!
Illustrated by Sehaj Wander
COMEDY COLUMN
This semester will be different (and other lies I tell myself at UTM)
Welcome to the UTM experience: Navigating campus, surviving each semester and convincing yourself you’ll be more organized this time. Anwesha Bal Contributor
ing while checking your phone every thirty seconds.
Just when you think you’ve figured campus out, midterm season arrives. Finding a seat in the library then becomes its own elective. Every table seems occuvery September, I make the same promise: this school year will be different. pied by a laptop, a water bottle, and a backpack whose owner has not been seen. I’ll stay ahead of my readings, review every lecture regularly, start assignments early, and become one of the mythical students who finishes everything a Somewhere between refreshing ACORN, decoding building abbreviations, week before it’s due. Four years later, I’m still trying to make my promise come hunting for a library seat, true. and convincing myself that I would stay ahead Then I remembered the drama film, The Karate Kid. Protagonist Daniel LaRus- this semester, I realso spent weeks painting fences, sanding floors, and waxing cars. He wondered ized maybe this was the why he was doing chores instead of learning karate. By the end of the movie, you training montage. It just realize those boring tasks were part of his training. looked a little different For first-year UTM students, your training started in July. than I expected.
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Long before your first lecture, you stared at ACORN and waited for your enrolment window like it was the countdown to the biggest event of the summer. You refresh the page. Then refresh it again. And once more. Somehow, getting into your required courses felt more stressful than getting accepted into university. Eventually, your timetable comes together and you breathe a sigh of relief. Congratulations! That was just the warm-up.
There is no dramatic music or crane kick to start your university experience. It’s just Quercus notifications, coffee, deadlines, and the annual promise many September arrived, and six course syllabi landed in your inbox before you’ve UTM students make: even finished your first coffee. You log into Quercus to check the syllabus, jump this semester will be over to ACORN because you’re suddenly questioning the information for one different. of your tutorials, then head back to Quercus because you’ve already forgotten where the lecture slides are. Before long, opening browser tabs became a habit. Four years later... I’m still pretty sure Then comes the campus map. Your timetable says your lecture is in the Instruc- I mean it this tional Centre (IB). You ask someone where it is, they smile and say, “Just walk time. past DV, and cut through CCT.” Perfect. Now you have three buildings to Google instead of one. By the second week, you’ve mastered the art of looking like you know exactly where you’re go-
COMEDY COLUMN
ing against the weather acting up. But that was until I started to pay attention.
Wait, guys have outfit aesthetics?
If you spend enough time on campus, you might realize that some guys dress in specific aesthetics.
Anwesha Bal Contributor
title that sounds intellectually intimidating. The headphones scream “don’t approach me,” but the matcha screams “you may approach me only if you know what Letterboxd is.”
The Performative Guy He can be easily recognized by his glasses—I am not sure if he actually needs them. I don’t have access to his prescription. The glasses have tiny frames and are perfectly positioned, often paired with an oversized jacket, headphones, a tote bag, and a medically alarming-looking matcha.
An unofficial guide to knowing what aesthetic the guy next to you has. There may be a book. Probably not a textbook, but a book with a prestigious
the impression that men’s fashion was simple. A basic shirt, some pants I don’t know if he is going to class or about to review a nineteenth-century Ihad and a pair of shoes. Probably a jacket if Environment Canada issued a warn- French film.
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The Streetwear Swagger
The Gym Bro
You usually notice his pants arriving before he does. I am unsure as to why men’s jeans have been expanding over the years to a point where each pant leg now has its own weather system. The pants drag across the floor, collecting salt, dust, rainwater and whatever mysterious liquid spilled a while ago.
You do not have to glance at his outfit to identify him. Just look for the shaker bottle. There is always a shaker bottle. Personally, I have never seen them consume an ordinary meal. He seems to be on his thirteenth protein shake of the day. It’s 9:45 a.m. and he has finished his leg training session at the gym. Oh, and he also consumed 130g of protein. Every conversation you have with them ends up being gym-related. You ask “How are you?” and he says, “Yeah, I’m good. I’m bulking.”
He is not just walking through the building, he is cleaning the floors too. And infuriatingly, his outfit still works. The bottom two inches of his pants have experienced many things, but he remains unbothered. The Corporate Climber He can be seen walking through the Instructional Centre (IB) with a straight face, sporting his crisp and perfectly ironed suit. He looks like he took lessons from Suits’ Harvey Specter. He walks with the intensity of someone on his way to close a multi-million-dollar deal, but in reality, he is trying to find a working printer before his ECO220 quiz. The Sauga Mans The puffer jacket is a constant, but the temperature is not. It could be –15°C, making it reasonable. Or, it could be 16°C, but the puffer stays on.
ARTS
Their outfits are in binary states—going to or coming from the gym. The Gorpcore Dude I recently learned the word gorpcore (a fashion trend that uses functional outdoor gear as urban streetwear), which helps explain why I kept seeing men who seem to be preparing for an expedition beclasses. Cargo pants, trail shoes, and a jacket Everything on him is black. From his jacket and track tween with a waterproof rating and 14 pockets are essential. pants to his crossbody bag. The AirPods are permanently installed. The pants sit low enough to provide His destination? The bus stop for bus 110N, which you with information nobody requested. He walks comes every 14 minutes. He periodically glances at past you close enough for you to hear him on the the road and checks the Transit app from time to time. phone saying, “Yeah, I’m coming. What room is the All this preparation for the final expedition—squeeztutorial?” ing himself on the bus with 50 other passengers.
Editor | Diana Varzideh arts@themedium.ca
More than what we wear
UTM’s Fashion & Modelling Society prepares to bring personal style, culture, and creative expression to the runway. Jessy Fan Contributor
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veryone gets dressed in the morning. Whether it’s an hour-long planned outfit or a last-second throw of clothes, what we wear reveals much about us.
For University of Toronto Mississauga’s newly formed Fashion & Modelling Society (UTMFMS), fashion is not only about the clothes someone wears. It is also about the stories people can tell through them. “Our main goal is to bring together a community of people interested in the industry of fashion,” said Mikail, president and co-founder of UTMFMS. The club wants its members to develop their understanding of fashion and recognize “how it’s not just about the clothes, but the story behind them.” The club is now working on its “flagship event,” a runway show that will bring together different areas of fashion, modelling, styling, and production. Rather than using the runway to showcase one brand’s work, UTMFMS plans to use it to demonstrate different styling approaches. “Usually when people hear runway shows, [they think] it’s about one brand showing off the newest clothing piece,” explained Mikail. “[Instead] we’re gonna show off our ability to style models in many, many different ways.” The idea for the club began with a conversation between Mikail and his friend Sohan, the club’s co-founder. The two were sitting at Square One when Sohan brought up his interest in starting a club, though he did not yet know its focus. At the time, some modelling agencies had approached Mikail about modelling for them. With modelling already on his mind, he suggested combining fashion and modelling for the club, and “it took off from there!” The runway project grew out of the founders’ desire to bring together different interests within the fashion industry into a single event. Members interested in clothing, styling, and creating their own designs can contribute, while those interested in production can work with videography, photography, lighting, and staging. Rather than building the entire runway around a single aesthetic, UTMFMS currently plans to divide the show into distinct segments.
Illustrated by Shanna Wong a particular style, or a shoe. The executive team then takes note of those interests and considers how to incorporate them into the show. “We’re going to try and address the inclusivity by making sure we always hear our club members’ voices first,” Mikail added. Behind the runway, the project also requires the team to consider the show’s size and location, audience, staging, lighting, clothing, and production. The club plans to organize workshops for students interested in modelling, where they can practise walking, posing, and using facial expressions on the runway. For a new club with many ideas, Mikail says one of the biggest challenges has been “knowing our limits.” He went on to say that “we’re a brand new club this year, and we only have so many people, but we have a lot of ideas. Fashion is subjective. It’s limitless. We could do a million different things.”
“I guess if you want, the theme could be inclusivity,” said Mikail. “Our goal is to address everyone’s interest, everyone’s passion and style.” The club also plans to consider how culture, geographical location, time periods, and gender can influence fashion.
The amount of student interest has also surprised the club. According to Mikail, the team initially expected around 20 to 30 sign-ups after its second week. At the time of the interview, the bumper had grown to just over 60.
UTMFMS members will also have a role in determining what eventually reaches the runway. During biweekly meetings, members are encouraged to present something that interests them about fashion. It might be the history of a brand,
Mikail also hopes to contribute his own creative work to the runway. Although the exact outfits for the show have not yet been finalized, he says he is particularly interested in vintage and dressier styles. He hopes to incorporate ideas inspired by Yves Saint Laurent. He may also walk in the show himself, wearing
11 one of his own designs. “I wouldn’t be satisfied just showing up on stage and wearing something that can be put into a box,” he mentioned. “So I’d create my own style, and I would, yeah, I’d walk that.” Still in the early stages of designing, Mikail describes the direction of his work as “elegant, flowy, and androgynous.” For the runway itself, he hopes audience members leave having discovered something they had not considered before.
“Hopefully we’ll get a lot of people who aren’t 100 percent solidified in what style they like to wear, and they’ll see something on stage that really speaks to them,” he said. “Maybe they can find their style.” And even for someone who already feels confident in the way they dress, encountering something different would be enough. “If they think it looks good,” Mikail said, “I’ll feel accomplished then, too.”
New residence The real horror in music room set to Obsession open in October Released in early May, the indie film Obsession grossed over $500 million and has stayed relevant in the public conversation for its analysis of the real, unassuming monsters who live amongst us. Emma Catarino Contributor
Maaz Ahtesham Contributor
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oy Ivor Hall is one of the University of Toronto MisR sissauga’s (UTM) residence buildings, holding roughly 180 single-occupancy rooms allotted for first-year
f you’ve gone to the movies this summer, been on social media, or walked into a Spirit Halloween recently, you’ve definitely heard of the break-through movie Obsession (2026). Directed by Curry Barker as a debut film, the horror movie stars Inde Navarrette playing Nikki and Michael Johnston playing Bear. The film follows Bear, who makes a wish on a cursed object—the One Wish Willow—hoping for Nikki to fall in love with him. What follows is a series of horrific events where Nikki is possessed and obsessed with Bear, which escalates when he eventually realises the extremity of it all. SPOILER: Nikki’s behaviour eventually leads to the death of several characters, until she is released from the curse at the end of the movie—or was she? Obsession is an indie project that garnered huge box office success, launching Barker and the cast, who were mostly debut actors, into Hollywood stardom. The film was released on May 15th 2026, and was created with a budget of around $1 million. Obsession is still available in theaters today, over four months later, and has grossed around $500 million at the box office. Obsession’s success can absolutely be attributed to its film direction and its high acting quality. But what truly makes this film stand out, and the reason why it’s been persistently talked about in the media for months, is the nature behind its “horror.” The entity that the main character is being targeted by isn’t a killer clown, or a possessed doll. It’s not even a supernatural, unseen entity like The Blair Witch Project. It’s a human being, someone similar to the people we know and meet everyday. Before we discuss this in depth, consider this a warning for the spoilers you will encounter. On the surface level, Nikki is the horror in this movie. She chases after Bear, she hurts people. But the point of Obsession is that Bear is the real monster. Bear loved Nikki,
Looking back at the Roy Ivor residence Music Room with a new one on the horizon.
students. Its most notable feature is the music room, intended for student residents—on a first-come first-serve basis—to practice using the available piano or bring in their own instruments for use. However, the opening of the New Residence Building comes with the promise of a new and improved music room to be available for use early next month. How necessary is the new room? I’ve personally visited the Roy Ivor music room myself over four years ago and also reached out to students currently in residence who have made use of the facilities to find out for certain.
Photo Credits: Melody Zhou or at least he loved the idea of her. When Nikki didn’t reciprocate those feelings, Bear became entitled to her autonomy, and instead of respecting her dignity, chose to supernaturally force Nikki into a relationship. The entire horror of this movie is the consequences of Bear’s actions. Later in the movie he tries to reverse his wish. But his actions were not well-intentioned—and he did not ask for a reversal because he felt guilty for his actions, or because Nikki’s loss of autonomy was inhumane. Instead, he asks for a re-wish: for Nikki to fall in love with him less obsessively. In fact, at no point does Bear care about Nikki’s feelings or consent. He just simply indulges in the idea of the woman in his head as his lover. That is what’s so terrifying about this film. Being mistreated, taken advantage of, and forced into dangerous or uncomfortable situations at the hands of a lustful man is something that most women will sadly experience at some point in her life. To the naked eye, Bear seems like a romantic. Just the regular man, in love with a woman, hoping to pursue her. But watchers of the movie were able to recognise him for what he truly is: a manipulative devil, with no regard to women as people, but as objects to be in possession of. Bear, like many men, is the obsession to be in fear of.
In the winter of 2022, I was one of many first-year students who looked for a place to play music on campus. The question about a piano or general practice room on campus usually came up casually in music circles and on the UTM Reddit page, and the response was always roughly the same: there is a music room in Roy Ivor, but you need to be a resident student to borrow the key from the Residence Services Desk. While this is inconvenient for commuters like myself, who also make up almost 90% of the student body, I was fortunate enough to know a residence student who could accompany me to use the room. At that time there was no music club on campus, so I used this opportunity to ascertain its usefulness for gatherings and events. I used to jot down what I saw when I entered: 13 chairs, two music stands, a carpet, a coffee table, chalkboard, a kitchen counter, and a piano. The room resembled a high school classroom. The piano, meanwhile, was out of tune, had no sustain, and could not hold sheet music. Still, the room could be used to practice piano if you had no other options. Marcus, a third-year resident who plays piano and drums, says that he used to practice piano in the room on a weekly basis in his first year. He appreciated the convenience of having a piano for free on residence and its usefulness for groups. “I remember one time there was, like, a saxophone and a guitar, like a little mini drum kit set up,” Marcus recounted. “There was like a little jazz quartet or something playing in there. Sometimes someone goes in there to practice violin as well.” He also listed drawbacks such as having to book the room in advance to secure a spot as well as the condition of the piano: “it’s usable, but it was quite out of tune and it would have a few sticky keys.” The New Residence Building music room is expected to be open for booking on October 5th according to Jen Skinner, the Assistant Director, Residence Administration & Operations for Student Housing & Residence Life (SHRL). Skinner shares that “the space features a neon wall sign highlighting the purpose of the room—play with passion—and includes a piano, chairs, and additional lighting that will support residents’ use and residence life programs.” The room will be bookable via the SHRL front desk, and the staff will be gathering feedback on space programming opportunities in the months ahead.
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Why We Need a Little More Dolly
A look at the legacy Dolly Parton has left behind, and what we can learn from it.
Olivier Zhou Contributor
M
y brother was born at an unfortunate time, through no fault of his own. I couldn’t warn him; it would be two years before I’d be born myself. In hindsight, the doctor should have picked up baby Calvin and told him that in twenty-one years time, his birthday would be overshadowed by the death of the Queen of Country, Dolly Parton. If you hadn’t really been aware of Parton’s influence, you may be wondering why you should care about her passing. Let’s start with straight numbers. She holds 25 No.1 songs, 55 Top 10 songs, nine No.1 albums, and 49 Top 10 albums. She has 16 Gold and 11 Platinum certifications by the Recording Industry Association of America. She has sold over 100 million records, putting her on par with current artists like The Weeknd and Ariana Grande. Despite her career starting in the mid 60s, she remained active well into the 2020s, collaborating with the likes of Sabrina Carpenter and Beyonce. She is the proud owner of ten Grammys with 55 nominations. She was nominated for an Academy Award for her song “9 to 5.” Following her passing, she bumped past Morgan Wallen and Olivia Rodrigo to claim the number one spot as Billboard’s top artist. She was also one of the shrewdest businesswomen to come out of the music industry. In 1974, she turned down Tom Parker, in his bid to purchase half the royalties of her song “I Will Always Love You” for a cover by Elvis Presley. The gamble paid off; the song became one of the most prolific songs of the 20th century, most notably covered by Whitney Houston (who deserves an article of her own). Her businesses continued to grow alongside her music career. During the 1980s she’d launch Sandollar Produc-
tions, which went on to produce the Academy Award winner Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt (1989) and the niche yet marginally successful indie show Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003). She’d also opened a 185-acre theme and water-park, Dollywood. She was also known for her line of affordable supermarket baking equipment and mixes. Unfortunately, her death did not warrant the United States to lower their flag in commemoration. But, some background is needed to know why her death was so sudden to society. Dolly Parton grew up incredibly poor. Parton and her eleven siblings (and parents, included) resided in a humble cabin in rural Tennessee, with little accessIllustrated to proper water by Shanna Wong and electricity. She had no resources nor proper backing to kickstart her music career. But, despite her fame, she never shied away from her background. Actions speak louder than words, and Parton proved to us why she was better than anything a billionaire’s PR firm could come up with. In 1988, she founded The Dollywood Foundation, a nonprofit focused on literacy. The foundation is most famous for its Imagination Library, a system that mails a free book to anyone under the age of 5, monthly. Initially confined to east Tennessee, the initiative became global. In addition to that, her product lines never charge a premium for being “Dolly branded,” widely available in supermarkets and dollar stores. Her theme park also provided thousands of jobs in her historically poor hometown. Dolly Parton knew the power her image held. She never sat at the sidelines of any issue. She was a staunch supporter of women’s rights, since the 1970s. This was at a time where a “traditional” woman—conservative in her own right—was the “standard” woman: stick
to a man and do as you’re told. Dolly rejected that. For example, the film “9 to 5” was an outstanding critique of the male dominated fields which she grew up to see. She was recorded to have been a notorious donator to medical and animal-related causes. She notably turned her nose up at the “King of Rock ‘n Roll,” donated 1 million USD to COVID-19 vaccine research and raised 9 million USD to aid families affected by the Great Smoky Mountain Wildfires. Parton was also a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community since as early as 1991. She provided support as early as the 1980s with the aforementioned Common Threads film, which covered the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic of the time and its impact on the LGBTQ+ communities. She won more awards than I can name for her philanthropy, and I don’t believe it’s a hot take to claim she was a beautiful woman in every definition of the word. We live in a world where every remotely successful person tries to monetize their fame as much as possible. Billionaires sit on their mountains of gold. Giant companies hire committees to find out how to squeeze the last few pennies out of their consumers. How much goodwill can they sacrifice for another dollar in their bank account? Dolly wasn’t like that. She had a genuine rags-to-riches story, but never lost sight of the abject poverty she needed to wade through to get there. She gave a fortune to those less fortunate to her. She bet on herself. Her legacy in entrepreneurship, music, and film are unlikely to be replicated. In a world of super surveillance and data stealers, maybe we need a little more Dolly Parton.
POETRY CORNER Fall-ing back to campus
Avneet Kaur, Contributor
In a monotonous voice I hear: arriving at University of Toronto, Mississauga Campus. My footsteps stumble, off-beat, out of sync Trying to march to a rhythm, I can’t even think Left right left right left—no wait, they’re already ahead A hundred synchronized soles, and mine trip on a thread I sit. I open my laptop. I stare at the blank white glow Meanwhile the girl next to me’s typing like she’s sick Endless rushing of footsteps, mindless clicking of keys The thoughts in my mind are of unrecognisable insecurities Office hours synchronized with my gym hours And am I the only one still counting summer’s hours? Everyone’s moved on, found their pace, found their place I’m still stuck rearranging the same tired face 8 am course enrolment starts,
A game of Scrabble I play with my courses, Unaware of the H/S/1/5 UTM morses, Seats filled up before I opened my eyes, The warm breeze freaking me like -40 degrees. Long assignment guidelines, font size twelve, double-spaced Club applications due before the thought’s even placed A to-do list stretching longer than my height Crossing off one task just to add nine overnight Crunchy leaves season enters the plight with the sun hiding behind the winter dynamite Coffee replaces the sleep I forgot to keep and somewhere between deadlines, autumn turns to sleep The campus hums on, indifferent to my fright but I’m walking, walking—off-beat, but still in sight.
13 SPORTS & HEALTH
Editor | Tyler Medeiros sports@themedium.ca
More than a ball game
How a $15 Bus Trip Brought UTM to Rogers Centre Tyler Medeiros Sports & Health Editor
Photo Credits: Aymaan Chowdhury
Aymaan Chowdhury Contributor
O
n September 14, dozens of University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) students lined up outside The Blind Duck by 4:45 p.m., not for a lecture or club meeting, but for a bus headed downtown. The UTM Student Union (UTMSU) organized the $15 trip to Rogers Centre for the Toronto Blue Jays’ game against the Detroit Tigers, with transportation there and back included. The event, promoted by the union on Instagram in the days leading up to the game, promised students more than a game of baseball: “come for the game, stay for the vibes.” For UTM student Aymaan Chowdhury, who attended the trip, those vibes started before the bus even left campus. “The line was pretty long, but it was fun because everyone was excited for the game,” said Chowdhury. “A lot of people wore generic blue and white, Jays jerseys and hats, or other Toronto gear.” Students talked with friends, took pictures, and waited for check-in outside The Blind Duck. The anticipation surrounding the game made what could have been an ordinary wait for an inevitably delayed bus feel like the beginning of the event. “Even before getting onto the bus, it already felt like the event had started,” Chowdhury said. That excitement continued on the ride downtown. Rather than one particular moment standing out, Chowdhury described the entire trip as having a familiar feeling. “It had that elementary school field-trip feeling,” he said. “It felt like going downtown with a bunch of students instead of just taking a usual trip. People were talking, laughing, and getting ready for the game, so the bus ride became part of the experience.” Arriving at Rogers Centre changed the scale of the night. For students used to seeing professional baseball through a television or phone screen, entering a stadium filled with thousands of roaring fans offered something different. “The first order of business when we arrived was just to take everything in, including the fresh green grass, the sunny weather and unparalleled view of the CN Tower,” Chowdhury shared. “Rogers Centre looks much more impressive when you’re surrounded by thousands of fans trying their best to propel the team to victory.” The field, stadium lights, enormous video board, crowd noise, and sea of blue hats, and jerseys helped transform the experience from just another trip downtown into a major sporting event. “Once I got to my seat, I remember thinking: we are actually here,” he added. The game itself gave students plenty to react to. Toronto jumped out to an early 2–0 lead as starter José Soriano carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning before Detroit broke
through with four runs. The Blue Jays answered when Kazuma Okamoto launched a three-run home run to put Toronto back in front, sending Rogers Centre into celebration. Detroit eventually fought back and scored the deciding run in the ninth inning to defeat the Blue Jays 6–5. Despite the loss, the back-and-forth finish gave the UTM students a dramatic game to experience together. As the game got underway, it was not necessarily one particular hit or catch that stayed with Chowdhury. Instead, it was the way thousands of people reacted to the mini-moments in unison. “One minute people were talking, and the next minute thousands of people were locked in on the pitch,” he said. “Even if you aren’t a huge baseball fan, the atmosphere created by passionate fans around the stadium alone draws you into the game.” That shared reaction became part of what made the evening about more than what happened on the field. For a few hours, students traded long lectures, challenging assignments, and endless hours studying for stadium seats and a night in downtown Toronto. The baseball game provided the destination, but travelling there alongside other UTM students became part of the experience. For students debating whether to attend a similar event in the future, Chowdhury said being a dedicated base-
14 ball fan should not be a requirement. “I’d recommend going, especially if you’ve never been to a Jays game,” he said. “You don’t need to be a hardcore baseball fan to have fun. You’re going downtown with other UTM students, enjoying the atmosphere at the stadium, and spending time with friends.” At $15, with a ticket and round-trip transportation from UTM included, the trip also gave students an accessible way to experience professional sports without arranging their own transportation downtown and back to Mississauga. “Baseball is, obviously, part of it, but I think the experience of going together is what makes it interesting,” Chowdhury shared. “It felt like a good student event to briefly escape studying and enjoy a Toronto staple.” On paper, the event was simple: a bus, a block of tickets, and a 4:45 p.m. check-in outside The Blind Duck. But for the students who made the trip, the experience started long before the first pitch. As UTMSU put it: come for the game, stay for the vibes.
Photo Credits: Aymaan Chowdhury
A day at the Be Well UTM Event: Resource and Activity Fair
The annual wellness event offers students interactive activities, wellness tips, and cool prizes.
Aqeel Shahid Ullah Contributor
On September 24th, the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) had its ninth annual Be Well UTM: Resource and Activity Fair. The event took place in Gym A & B and featured a range of resources, from wellness activities to educational games for students to participate in. The fair provided numerous opportunities for students to connect with a broad range of support services that promote positive mental health and well-being, with participation also earning students Co-Curricular Record (CCR) credit and goodies like a swag bag and food voucher. Upon entering, students were handed a small slip—which they called a passport—to be filled with a sticker from each of the three sections of the fair: the Be Informed Zone, Be Inspired Zone, and Be Active Zone. The Be Informed Zone contained tables featuring multiple health resources, including an informative description of drug usage and their effects. The table also gave students naloxone kits which are often used to help reverse overdoses, particularly on opioids. The zone also had plenty of other health resources for students to learn about—over 35 in total.
Photo Credits: Aqeel Shahid Ullah
15 Photo Credits: Aqeel Shahid Ullah
Close by was the Be Active Zone, which featured various games to help motivate students towards increasing physical movements and, more generally, exercise. One booth informed students about gambling and how to do so responsibly, containing a giant Jenga game where each piece had a term related to the issue of sports gambling, with an attendant explaining the meaning of the terms. Students who participated in this also received a special cup that also doubled as a horn when the straw was plucked into the base of the cup and blown into. Finally, the Be Inspired Zone had multiple tables that helped students to focus on their goals and well-being. One table showed off special medical wheel cards that students could make on their own and keep to motivate themselves. This was implemented using an Indigenous sorting method that divided cards into the Mind, Spirit, Emotion, and Body. Students took time writing and cutting out affirmation cards that personally suited them; a practice of using a mind card was done to motivate students to handwrite more frequently.
The fair was well attended by students, many of whom were delighted to participate in the activities offered. One student said that they visited the fair to simply improve their personal wellness and learn to become more conscious about their health-habits, while many others stated that they wanted the CCR credit that came with attending. Several students also noted the many different departments that featured in the fair—an opportunity to network and build professional relationships Students and staff expressed their interest in talking with experts and other students interested in the health and wellness resources available. At the end of the fair, students were asked to present their “passport” to a staff member and were given a flower shaped paper to write down key takeaways from the event. The responses were hung from a tree-shaped trinket, the students’ affirmations, posing as leaves and as promises to themselves and the campus community to work towards our wellbeing.
Check out the answers for Issue 3’s Crossword Puzzle on Page 16 >>
16 ADVERTISEMENTS
Aaron Calpito Managing Editor
Across
Down
1. Leafy mélange 4. “Wise” academic club that makes an appearance in this issue’s advice column 6. Commodity Aloysius O’Hare sells to make his fortune in The Lorax (2012) 7. Processed wood 9. Commercials that feature heavily in the long-running “Don’t Mess with Texas” anti-littering campaign, e.g. 11. It might fall from a Quercus 13. Japanese vehicle manufacturer that shares its name with a famous Canadian activist 15. Fish that make their annual run up the Credit River from September to October to spawn 16. What a plant might do in a drought 17. “Get lost!” (on the UTM Nature Trail, perhaps)
1. Treed wetlands, or a student’s workload come mid-terms 2. A caterpillar, for example 3. Landform at a river mouth, often triangular 5. Anti-Ford advocacy slogan, “Hands Off the _________” 8. The speaker in this issue’s Poetry Corner 10. Sound a seagull makes 12. The largest source of electricity in Ontario, accounting for about 50% of the province’s power generation 14. Recycled metal that gives the Instructional Centre its distinct green-blue colour 15. A large group of fish, or a submerged sandbar near the water’s surface
CROSSWORD SECTION
ANSWER KEY
ADS SECTION YOUR ADVERTISEMENT GOES HERE