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VOL. 63 ISSUE 10

Page 1

MARCH 20, 2025

VOLUME 63 / ISSUE 10

www.protemgl.com

LE JOURNAL ÉTUDIANT DE GLENDON / GLENDON’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER

@protemglendon

President and York’s Board of Governors: Architects of Academic Betrayal spaces of diversity in academia at York University also places the pressure of recreating or maintaining these spaces onto student clubs, organizations, and associations.

By Anonymous

photo: Wikimedia Commons

On February 14, the Board of Governors at York decided to leak to the press plans to defund and bar fall-term student enrollment to the following programs: At Glendon: English, Sociology, Spanish and Latin American Literatures and Cultures, Global History and Justice. At Keele: Spanish, Gender and Women’s studies, Classics and classical studies, East Asian studies., German studies, Hellenic studies, Italian studies, Indigenous studies, Jewish studies, Portuguese and Luso-Brazilian studies, Religious studies, Biomedical physics, Environmental biology.1 This was obviously not in the spirit of St.Valentine’s Day. February 14 marks the anniversary of the Women’s Memorial March honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMWG) in Canada. York University’s stated commitment to upholding reconciliation ties. This approach suggests that while York readiefforts is false in acknowledgement and false in ly accepts the tuition of East Asian students on the practice. Schulich Indian campus, they are not committed to investing and not create a space that celebrates, Attack on Culture and researches, and teaches East Asian culture courses Diversity Education in Canada. Likewise, maintaining a campus in Cutting and grandfathering these Costa Rica while eliminating Spanish programs in programs out for students who are currently Canada highlights a contradictory stance that unenrolled is shameful and sends the message that derscores a disconnect between York’s internationIndigenous, Hispanic and Latinx, Portuguese and al presence and its support for Hispanic cultural Luso-Brazilian, German and Jewish students are and linguistic education at home. not welcome, are not valued, are not worth inEliminating the Indigenous Studies vesting, and do not belong at York University. could not be a clearer indication of York’s overt These programs create spaces of belonging that epistemic racism against the knowledge and acacelebrate diversity, welcome non-parlants of their demic scholarship that students and professors in languages, keep their languages alive for first and the department perform. The move is indicative second generation immigrants wanting to develop of where York’s administration truly stands, a stronger relationship with their family heritage. damaging its reputation for inclusivity, anti-coloThey also educate students about culture, history, nialism, and celebration of diversity. Known for and the issues affecting their social groups, lands being a leader in anti-racist and decolonial acaand political landscapes. demic scholarship in Canada, this action moves It is inconsistent of York to divest against their own reconciliation goals. Graduation from these programs while maintaining multiple is approaching and it will blatantly be clear that international campuses, notably in Costa Rica and whoever reads the land acknowledgement acts in India. The decision to discontinue cultural performatively for an audience that thinks lowly programs such as Spanish and East Asian studies of them for the entirety of their speech because conveys a concerning message: York is willing they know the truth. It’s on paper, it’s exposed, it to accept the tuition money of Hispanic and East cannot be taken back. Asian students without a reciprocal commitment The decision to defund academically to invest in their cultural education and opportuni- and democratically significant programs such as

MÉTROPOLE

CAMPUS LIFE Academic Betrayal........................1 What a year it was at Pro Tem....7

Québec pas comme autre......4

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Elimination Chamber.........4-5

5 Souvenirs d’enfance..................3

METROPOLIS

EXPRESSION Marshmallow........................6 day by the sea........................6 Oh my, feminine..........6

From blood to bones.........6 Follow the recipe or cook....6

Mourning Glendon’s Multilingualism Status York University’s program cuts are the result of a neoliberal approach to debt management, disproportionately targeting liberal arts and diversity education. The administration cites low enrollment, yet these programs are essential for a decolonized, inclusive, and intellectually rich environment. Glendon once offered Spanish, Latin, and Ojibway alongside French—now, classrooms will sit empty, offices cleared, and course diversity slashed. This raises fears that Glendon itself may be at risk, forcing students to Keele or Markham, a campus that was a costly mistake to begin with. Global History and Justice, as well as Gender Student unions: where are you? YFS? GCSU? and Women’s Studies, sends a deeply conYUGSA? Graduating students: will cerning message. It implies that feminist and you sit silently at in your ceremonies or will you 2SLGBTQIA++ studies are not deemed worthy of take a stand while the land acknowledge is being investment, that education surrounding their comsaid? Student clubs: where are you? Where is your plex and intersectional issues is not a priority, and fight to protect and stand up for those affected that there is no longer a dedicated academic space and your student electorate? Silence is complifor these critical disciplines within the institution. ance and silence is acceptance. You march for Cutting Women and Gender studies means York diverse causes but remain passive and inactive on is backtracking on a committment to promote rampant epistemic racism and the biggest LA&PS gender equality and tolerance in on-campus and Glendon brain-drain. What makes you think spaces for those who are vulnerable. Moreover, Lenton is stopping at 18 programs? Fight for the the History program at Glendon stands as the sole students! We are stronger and united together! department offering courses focused on African As a proud York graduate, I once content. Dismantling this opportunity not only believed this university was the best in the world, diminishes the breadth of educational offerings at despite its strikes. Now, I don’t. To the professors a bilingual campus but also constructs a tangible affected: your work, your impact, and the spaces barrier against Black and non-Black students. This you created for learning will not be forgotten. decision risks marginalizing these students further While York repays your dedication with cuts and by erasing an academic platform that acknowllayoffs over the news, we, the students, will fight edges, explores, and elevates African histories and for you! Fight to one day bring these departments perspectives, ultimately hindering the university’s back and to restore true diversity, equity, and incommitment to inclusivity, diversity, and equity. clusion to York’s research and academic offerings. A university that does not invest in the liberal arts or diversity education is not a real uniYork is choosing to be a university without a versity, and it is not a real one offering fulfilling heart. or quality higher education. It reduces their competitiveness against other institutions for future 1. Raveendran, Rochelle. “York University temporarily suspending new admissions to 18 programs.” CBC News. Published Feb 19, 2025. <<https:// students and reduces the selection of gen-ed and www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/york-university-temporarily-suspending-a elective courses for current students. Eliminating missions-18-programs-1.7462610 >>. EXPRESSION Goodbyes and one hello......6 Oh my, feminine...................6

SANTÉ & BIEN-ÊTRE Biscuits végétalien...................8 HEALTH & WELLNESS Finding Destiny in France....8-9

ACTUALITÉ & OPINION La montée de l’extrème droite........10 CRA Spokesperson answers......10-11 DEAR/CHER PROTEM My/Mon Protem..........................12


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