Le journal bilingue de Glendon | Glendon’s Bilingual Newspaper
Vol. 60 Issue 10 : le 30 mars 2022
In This Issue Page 2 ● LETTER FROM THE EDITOR VIE ÉTUDIANTE Page 3 ● Meilleurs cours facultatifs à York/à Glendon Page 3 ● Alumni Feature: A Collective, A Community: Weaving Magic into the Pages of Pro Tem EXPRESSIONS Page 4 ● Can’t Relate Page 4 ● Home in Your Arms Page 4 ● Next Stop: Acceptance Station! Page 5 ● Le pêcheur et le poisson Page 5 ● The Cliff Page 5 ● Le pigeon et le colibri CENTER SPREAD
Alumni Feature: A Toast to Pro Tem
Page 8 & 9 ● Glendon Formal 2022 ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Page 8 ● The Name of the Game: Understanding, Adapting, and Translating by the Rules MÉTROPOLE Page 9 ● Coffee Shop Reflections: Bidding Farewell to the 2021-22 School Year Page 9 ● Les meilleures vacances d’été au Canada Page 10 ● Exclusive: Pro Tem Formally Rebranding as Part of University Deal HEALTH AND WELLNESS Page 10 ● Three Health Benefits of Walking Barefoot in Snow Page 11 ● A New Food Initiative at Glendon: The Glendon Cooking Club ISSUES AND IDEAS Page 12 ● The War in Ukraine Through the Eyes of a Cat
Harold Levy Founder of Pro Tem Happy 60th Anniversary Pro Tem. You’ve come a long way since your birth back in 1962 - and I will have a bottle of good wine handy on April 1st when we toast this celebrated publication which I had the pleasure of co-founding with John Corvese way back then. Since so much time has gone by - 12 more years than half a century - I think it’s time for me to share one of my favourite adventures as a co-editor of The Pro Team - an adventure which landed me in the office of a not too happy Dr. Murray Ross, the University’s founding president, and author of a book called “The New University.” The adventure began when I was approached by a faculty member whom I cannot name, for reasons which will become clear. This Prof. explained
that a number of faculty members who felt that the university had already abandoned its noble aims, would like to publish a special satirical issue of the Pro Tem, in which the contributors, bearing pseudonyms, would use this age-old literary tool of political and social change to communicate their disappointment with the direction the university was taken - a direction away from the small, intimate, liberal university it was supposed to be, and toward the mass, impersonal type of University which was proliferating throughout North America. I readily agreed, imposing but one condition: that I would have a final say over the content before the publication was distributed. This “faculty issue” of the Pro Tem did not go unnoticed on campus. Au contraire, it raised many, many eyebrows, stimulated thoughtful discussions (which was the idea behind the publication in the first place), and
landed me in Dr. Ross’s office (it was a very nice office indeed). To get to the point (a rather sharp point at that), Dr. Ross abruptly ordered me to name the faculty members to whom I had turned over the Pro Tem. In my naivety, I had not anticipated that I would be put on the spot like this during my encounter with the President of York University. Trying to keep my composure, I quickly mentally reviewed all of the movies I had seen over the years featuring intrepid reporters, looked right into his eyes, and said to him: “I’m sorry Dr. Ross, but I cannot reveal my sources.” Whew! It worked. The meeting ground to a halt, and I left that lovely office, thinking how much I had enjoyed my short stay at York University. However, I ended up remaining at the university, in my position as co-editor, in spite of several additional Continued on PAGE 2
The Pro Tem Team
À propos de nous
Notre équipe
Pro Tem est le journal étudiant du collège Glendon. Publié pour la première fois en 1962, c’est la plus ancienne publication de l’Université York. Opinions published in Pro Tem are those of the individual writers, and do not reflect the views of the publication as a whole. We will not print copy deemed racist, sexist, homophobic, or otherwise oppressive.
Brianna Carrasco Editor in Chief / Rédactrice en chef ✉ editor@protemglendon.com
Josée Philips Chief of Operations / Chef des opérations ✉ operations@protemglendon.com
Les lettres adressées au journal peuvent être éditées au niveau de la clarté ou de
contenu. All copy appearing in Pro Tem is at the discretion of the editorial team. Feel free to respond to what you read in the pages of Pro Tem! / N’hésitez pas à réagir à ce que vouz avez lu dans Pro Tem! To see past editions of Pro Tem, please visit our website: www.protemglendon.com. Be sure to follow us on Instagram for reminders about upcoming deadlines and events.
Letter from the Editor Bonjour, Glendon! Ariana Mah Assistant English Editor / Rédactrice anglaise ajointe ✉ englisheditor@protemglendon.com
Sara Youssef Assistant French Editor / Rédactrice française adjointe ✉ frencheditor@protemglendon.com
Elton Campbell Layout Designer / Maquetteur ✉ design@protemglendon.com
Shilpa Ahluwalia Photographer / Photographe ✉ photography@protemglendon.com
Michael Aquilino English Journalist / Journalist anglais
Rejean Ghanem French Journalist / Journaliste française
Abigail Gillen Bilingual Journalist / Journaliste bilingue
Christy Lorenz Issues and Ideas, Health and Wellness & Expressions / Actualité et opinions, Santé et bien-être & Expressions
Anna Noumtinis Campus Life, Arts and Entertainment & Metropolis / Vie étudiante, Arts et divertissement & Métropole
2 Pro Tem • www.protemgl.com • March 30, 2022
I hope you’re doing well. Welcome to the final issue of Pro Tem for the 2021-2022 school year. It has definitely been a wild one, from starting school at home on our computers, to slowly making our way back to the beautiful campus. I am so thankful that we all have the chance to walk across the Glendon campus a few more times before the school year comes to a close. Si la pandémie nous a appris quelque chose, elle nous a appris que le changement peut se produire en un instant et que nous sommes tous capables de nous adapter au changement au mieux de nos capacités. Quoi qu’il arrive dans les prochains mois, sachez simplement qu’il y a un arc-en-ciel après la tempête. Nous avons tellement d’articles passionnants dans cette édition du 60e anniversaire de Pro Tem. Nous avons une histoire touchante d’une ancienne de Pro Tem, une excellente introduction au nouveau Glendon Cooking Club et un message d’adieu du président du AÉCG, Stephen Teong. We also have some fun news! Friday, April 1st from 7PM to 8:30PM Pro Tem, along with the Office of Advancement
and Alumni Relations, will be hosting A Toast to Pro Tem - A 60th Anniversary Celebration. The event will celebrate the past, present, and future of Pro Tem and will include a panel featuring three Pro Tem alumni, Heather Scoffield, Michael den Tandt, and Teshini Harrison! Then, we will follow the panel with a literal toast to Pro Tem, where we will be sharing our memories with Pro Tem, and even sharing some of our own creative writing. Anyone who comes out to the event will be entered into a raffle to win a gift card and Glendon swag! To learn more about the event and register, follow this link: https://www. eventbrite.ca/e/a-toast-to-pro-tem-untoast-a-pro-tem-tickets-272332322307. And we have some more awesome news! This issue of Pro Tem is also published in person! Don’t forget to pick up a copy of this issue while you’re walking around campus. Merci à tous pour une année scolaire incroyable. Je vous souhaite le meilleur. A l’année prochaine! Brianna Carrasco Editor in Chief | Rédactrice en chef
Campus Life
Alumni Feature: A Toast to Pro Tem (cont.) invitations to the President’s lovely office - until I finally received my degree. Since this isn’t Hollywood, the story doesn’t end there. A word of caution. What follows is pure hearsay, but rang true to me at the time, as it does today. I was told later that Dr. Ross had called a meeting of the faculty at which he ordered every member who had participated in the controversial publi-
cation to stand up - and everyone in the room stood up. So, happy 60th anniversary Pro Tem - and thank you York University, for giving me (and so many others over the years) the opportunity to get my feet wet in the world of journalism. I’ve been there, in one way or the other, ever since.
Vie étudiante
Meilleurs cours facultatifs à York/à Glendon Réjean Ghanem French Journalist Si vous recherchez des cours facultatifs intéressants à suivre à Glendon qui ne vous stresseront pas, je vous propose une liste de cours facultatifs qui ne nécessitent pas une quantité incroyable de travail et qui sont toujours passionnants.Soit moi-même ou soit mes amis avons suivi les cours énumérés ci-dessous. 1. HUMA 2675 (Photographie numérique) : Il est temps de mettre votre chapeau créatif et de préparer votre appareil photo ! Ce cours de photographie en français est une façon amusante de répondre à vos exigences de bilinguisme. Bien que ce cours se remplisse généralement rapidement, si vous êtes en mesure de vous inscrire, vous ne le regretterez pas. Ce cours était idéal pour se connecter avec des pairs et pour acquérir des com-
Alumni Feature: A Collective, A Community: Weaving Magic into the Pages of Pro Tem Teshini Harrison Pro Tem Alumna ‘14 It may have been some time in the spring of 2013, on a bright day in Brussels, when I sat in front of my computer, tapped ‘Enter’ on my keyboard, and submitted my application to become Pro Tem’s Communications Officer. Submitting that application was the beginning of a part of my life I would never forget. A month or two later, I received an email that confirmed—after an exciting interview with the brilliant Editor-in-Chief, Natasha Faroogh—I was chosen to support an enigmatic team of brilliant women and queer writers, designers, translators, creators and dreamers. You often do not know what to expect when you join Pro Tem. You be-
pétences en photographie en cours de route. Sans oublier que c’est un cadre très accueillant en ce qui concerne la pratique du français. 2. NATS 1880 (Life Beyond Earth) : Avez-vous encore besoin d’un crédit NATS ou MODR ? Vous êtes-vous déjà demandé quelle vie extraterrestre existe au-delà de notre atmosphère ? Si vous avez répondu oui à l’une de ces questions ou aux deux, ce cours est destiné à vous. L’examen est à choix multiples, il n’y a pas de dissertations et il y a seulement une exigence de questionnaires hebdomadaires à faire parvenir. Bien que vous deviez vous rendre à Keele pour suivre ce cours, c’est une classe énorme d’environ 300 étudiants. Par conséquent, si vous voulez avoir l’expérience de la vie étudiante à une « grande université », vous apprécierez ce cours tout en découvrant les potentiels de la vie extraterrestre. 3. HIST 2100 (Ancient Greece & Rome) : Ce cours est assez explicite en raison de son titre. Ce cours examine la Grèce et il présente la Rome antique. Si vous avez déjà été intéressé par l’histoire ancienne : c’est votre cours ! Les cours d’histoire peuvent parfois être des cours
supplémentaires, mais cela serait agréable pour quelqu’un qui veut en savoir plus sur les civilisations anciennes. 4. HUMA 3670 (Le multiculturalisme et l’ethnicité au Canada) : Ce cours de français enseigne aux étudiants le multiculturalisme et ses effets au Canada en conséquence. Si vous souhaitez en savoir plus sur le lien entre l’immigration et le racisme, vous voudrez peut-être choisir ce cours facultatif. Ce sujet est tout à fait pertinent à l’actualité et vous aidera à vous tenir au courant des enjeux culturels canadiens.
come a part of a community, a collective. Amidst a group of amazing women and queer leaders, we trailblazed new ways of working, making Pro Tem a space to cultivate equity. This started with ensuring our section editors were provided with honorariums for their dedicated efforts to connect with students to designing our newspaper in-house, adding a quintessential Glendon ‘je ne sais quoi.’ It wasn’t always perfect, but it was ours—a moment of change and transition that we were proud of. Sometimes our team would meet at Lunik Co-op Cafe to grab a coffee and then brainstorm about what the upcoming issue should include, or how we would coordinate an event. Hilliard Residence anchored our imaginations and exuberance in encouraging free expression through pen and paper, allowing us to support one another in different ways. As students, Glendonites and writers, Pro Tem was a safe and comforting space. And when it was time to publish an issue, we were ready. Enveloped in a flurry of words, stories, and ink, we would dash across campus to deliver newspapers for fellow Glendonites to read. From Hillard Residence to the Manor, then the hallways of the main building, there is a rhythm set to the words of students, staff and professors, their voices, thoughts, memories, and po-
ems printed on paper for others to discover and appreciate. There were moments when this rhythm flared, igniting controversy and curiosity beyond Glendon’s walls. These were the small moments we lived for, sharing our thoughts, perspectives, and opinions for various audiences to reflect on, critique, express discomfort, or experience joy. Then we would do it all over again. Another issue, another dance across the halls of Glendon Campus, another meeting at Lunik, Hilliard or in a classroom in B-wing above what was the former sandwich shop, Euro Baguette. If we had good weather days between spring and fall, we would sit outside on the lawn, taking in the sun, our minds percolating with ideas. And with each issue, seasons would change, and beautiful, eloquent and complex narratives would be shared by students, faculty, staff and alumni alike. Pro Tem was a space where I could contribute and create freely. A place that removed the fear of writing, sharing my ideas and creating with ease. Within this space and among my peers, I was able to vocalize my thoughts, paint a picture, and let others imagine, dream, or experience a moment with me. It was motivating to learn the ins and outs of the editing process, developing social media campaigns, layout
5. Les cours de langue : Les cours de langue ne sont jamais faciles et ils demandent une dépense de temps supplémentaire, mais Keele propose plusieurs cours de langue en arabe, en italien, en japonais, etc. Si vous avez toujours voulu apprendre une autre langue ; et vous vous consacrez à votre objectif, vous pouvez tout aussi bien suivre un cours de langue. C’est un excellent moyen de se faire de nouveaux amis, de se mettre en valeur, tout en apprenant quelque chose de nouveau.
Photo par Teshini Harrison
design, and organizing events. But, most importantly, Pro Tem was where I could, at my best and at my worst, learn from others, learn about myself and support the team in making our vision possible. Together, as a collective, as a community, we weaved our own magic and stories into the legacy and printed pages of Pro Tem.
Pro Tem • www.protemgl.com • le 30 mars 2022 3
Expressions
Can’t Relate
Home in Your Arms
Sophia Tracey Contributor
Stephanie Doherty Contributor
Put my number in a time machine and call it later You know what I’d appreciate? I dreamt last night I was in your arms If people would stop saying I can’t relate. I didn’t want to wake up later As if not experiencing something gives you a pass to not act at all, I loved you so hard that your skin became mine As if not being directly impacted is a reason to ignore the call. And now I’m missing half of myself The call to action, for those this society underserves, I’m afraid I could cry A call of reaction, by those this society overserves. You were my warm home Because we turn our backs on the ones who need us most, Until we were empty Because for some people, that’s just how life goes. You said you and I As a woman, I have my authority and identity undermined on a daily basis, could be a family It looks like an eye roll when I call someone out for being sexist. Home in your arms It looks like when a man gets credited for my achievement, but I get reprimanded for his mistake, But a home no longer It looks like my male counterparts speaking as much as they please and unapologetically taking up space. 5 am phone calls It looks like me sharing my perspective and men not giving me the time of day, That left me to ponder It looks like catcalls and unwarranted touching and people thinking that’s okay. But all you have to say is I can’t relate? As a black person, my race is always going to be a hot topic, And no, racism hasn’t gone away, but I’m here to help stop it. Society only sees my melanin, Not the pain, the passion, or the talent that lies beneath my skin. This is not a game of blame or shame, But a reminder that when it comes to privilege, everyone has their claim. My success is viewed as a rare case, But my failures are a testament to my entire race. Society will say my low-income means I’m not going far, They will try to convince me my achievements are subpar. But still there remain times, when even I can’t relate. I’ll never be told I can’t come in, Hannah Beros Based on the fact I don’t look enough like a woman. Photo par Fabrizio Verrecchia, pexel.com Contributor I am free to express and dress as I desire, And I don’t have to wonder if my ability is why I got hired. “Keep yourself busy so you don’t fall into the pit of grief,” they said. I will never be gawked at for holding my partner’s hand, If grief is a pit, I am underground. Or have to think ahead for an accessibility plan. I built a secret tunnel system in my sleep that weaves its way from Denial to Acceptance. See, I have an aversion to conversion and assimilation, I built Acceptance Station with hopes that one day my train would be inclined to stop there. It’s about time we put an end to all forms of oppression. So far it just speeds right past it and loops back around to Denial. So, if we all possess privilege to a certain extent, Acceptance Station is above ground. It’s time we act, not repent. When we approach, I see golden, unwavering light These privileges are unearned, but we still have a chance, Beaming, blinding, beautiful. To work together and take a stance. Sometimes a train window flies open as we are passing by and I can smell the air up there. So, don’t take the easy way out and say I can’t relate, It smells of dryer sheets and baby powder; clean, pure, but slightly manufactured. We have the capability and knowledge, it’s time to do what’s right. I keep thinking the train will stop there, Where the sun is glistening and I can see the blurry outlines of fluffy fresh trees, But we never stop. We slow down on occasion, We go so slow that I think we will finally take respite here, above ground. We don’t. The train loops again And again And again I tried getting off at Bargaining Station one day and staying a few days, It was okay but the trees there are painted onto cavernous walls, Dim, dusty light of the underground flickers And the stench of wet dog lingers in my nostrils. While I was there I lifted my head to the cracked tile ceiling and prayed to the god of the underground, That he would lift me out of this pit A rat whispered to me that god retired years ago So much for that. Photo par Markus Spiske, pexel.com I board the train once more.
Next Stop: Acceptance Station!
4 Pro Tem • www.protemgl.com • March 30, 2022
Expressions
Le pêcheur et le poisson
The Cliff
Garo Jomoian Contributor
Arrow Strayed Contributor I haul myself skyward to the ridge of the towering mountain, cramming each trembling foot into the cracks of the cliff, frigid sweat dripping down my face and back, the wind challenging me as I wiggle my numb fingers into each crevice, inhaling the crisp early-autumn air. I sense my gut drop before I do, bile on my tongue, flailing, wind whooshing past my ears. I grasp at anything that can stop me from plunging to my death. I close my eyes just as my shoulder is forcefully yanked out of its socket—a sharp bite of agony, a sickening pop!—and the world finally stops whizzing around me. I grimace at my hand, caught on a sapling wedged into the rock bed. As pieces of rubble crumble to the terrain below me, I dangle on the protruding maple.
Un vieux pêcheur attendait sa première prise. Soudain, sa canne se tendit, un poisson était tombé dans le piège « Zut ! me voilà berné », se dit le poisson, sentant ses derniers jours venir. « Que va-t-il devenir de ma petite famille ? Je laisse derrière moi mes petits, sans mon aide précieuse. » Notre vieux pêcheur spéculait déjà sur le festin qu’il ferait ce soir-là. « Ce poisson est si gros que je le partagerai avec mon épouse », se dit-il. À sa grande surprise, le poisson l’interpella : - Pourquoi donc veux-tu me tuer ? Que t’ai-je donc fait ? Et le pêcheur lui répondit : - Je ne nourris à ton égard aucune rancune, mais je me repais à l’avance du bon repas que tu seras pour moi. Le poisson implora alors sa pitié : - N’as-tu pas d’enfants, de petits-enfants ? Ne serais-tu pas affligé de les laisser seuls en quittant ce monde ? Le poisson n’avait pas fini ses paroles que le pêcheur aperçut une ribambelle de petits poissons qui rejoignaient leur père. Le vieil homme en fut tant ému qu’il relâcha immédiatement sa proie. Pourquoi nous est-il si difficile de penser que les animaux sont des êtres vivants comme nous ? Et sensibles, et souffrants ? Voyons en chaque animal un maillon comme nous de la chaîne du vivant, envers lequel nous ne pouvons préjuger d’une quelconque supériorité.
Le pigeon et le colibri Sunhee Oh Contributor Un pigeon, détesté par les humains, cherchait de quoi se nourrir en fouillant les poubelles. Affamé, il se contenta de quelques grains que laissent les grand-mères dans les ruelles. Un jour, il vit un colibri qui semblait bien vivre sa vie et qui paraissait être bien dans sa peau. Le petit volatile nectarivore, au bec ressemblant à une aiguille et au plumage irisé, attira l’attention du pigeon qui était au repos. Fasciné par la beauté de cet oiseau-mouche, le pigeon décida de vivre la vie d’un colibri. Le lendemain, il essaya donc de lécher du nectar, mais finit par abandonner vers l’après-midi. Au coucher du soleil, lorsqu’il vit le plumage aux reflets métalliques du colibri sous les rayons de soleil, il lui demanda : « Dites-moi, Monsieur le colibri, comment puis-je arborer des plumes comme les vôtres ; exceptionnelles ? » « Tous les oiseaux perdent leurs plumes pour en avoir d’autres. Arrachez-en donc pour que de nouvelles plumes poussent ! C’est une pratique tout à fait normale ! » lui dit-il.
Le pigeon, croyant tous les mots venant du colibri, arracha petit à petit ses plumes, assis sur un arbre ; tranquille. La nuit tombée, il réussit à extirper son plumage gris ; dénudé, il ressemblait à un poulet déplumé. Le pigeon, qui aurait dû se contenter de ce qu’il possédait, finit par être misérable en essayant d’être quelqu’un qu’il n’était pas. Quand la jalousie est là, la raison s’en va.
Pro Tem • www.protemgl.com • le 30 mars 2022 5
Glendon Formal 2022 - Photos par AÉCG
6 Pro Tem • www.protemgl.com • March 30, 2022
Glendon Formal 2022 - Photos par AÉCG
Pro Tem • www.protemgl.com • le 30 mars 2022 7
Arts and Entertainment
The Name of the Game: Understanding, Adapting, and Translating by the Rules Abigail Gillen Bilingual Journalist As a soon-to-be graduate of the Bachelor’s of Translation program at York, I’ve had a couple of years’ worth of classes, projects, and contracts to hone my translation skills in a variety of fields and different genres of text. That being said, one thing that’s new to me this year is translating games; in particular, games written in French for a predominantly European audience, to be played by Anglophones in North America. When telling friends, colleagues, and anyone kind enough to listen about this recent venture, the most common reaction is something along the lines of, “Oh, fun! That sounds like a nice and easy break from your usual work!” While translating games is fun, it’s far from easy. There are a number of challenges that come with translating games, including understanding the rules of a game you haven’t played, adapting the language so the target audience will receive it properly, and coming up with solutions that are compatible with the game rules. For instance, a word game that I worked on included different categories of words for players to spell out (with a twist). Categories of the original French game include obscure French towns, desserts, and insults — some of which may have been too harsh for a North American audience, even if they did have direct equivalents. To adapt the game for the target audience, I had to modify the words in these categories. The most straightforward category to adapt was desserts, seeing as all I had to do was replace the desserts with North American treats that fit the letter requirements. When it came to adapting the town names, I chose to use names of national parks from across North America because I wanted to keep the same difficulty in the
translation, and since North Americans tend to be fascinated with the great outdoors, I wanted to reflect this cultural element. I intentionally chose parks with names originating from different languages, such as Ojibwa, an Indigenous language meeting the game criteria as far as letter repetitions. Unfortunately, a lot of words from Indigenous languages were ruled out, since the game had a rule of not selecting words with letters repeating over three times. Within the insults category, I recognized the cultural differences between French and North American humour and chose to eliminate all the insults centred around race. From this point on, all I had to do was find words that matched the game’s letter criteria and had the same aim, i.e. insulting someone’s intelligence or their behaviour. Aside from the game rules limiting word choice, there were linguistic limitations I had to navigate as well. For instance, a more difficult level of the game includes words with the least common letters in French, which are not the same in English. To figure out which letters I would need to replace them with, I turned to everyone’s favourite free, multilingual online encyclopedia, Wikipedia. I went on Wikipedia’s Letter Frequency page which ranks how often each letter shows up in their articles and ordered the table from least to most common. This told me that Z, Q, J, and X are the least common letters in English, compared to Z, W, K, J, X, and Y in the original French version. Since there are fewer uncommon letters to choose from in the English version, the exercise was rather limited by both the game’s constraints and the language itself. Another interesting challenge I encountered was making sure I could find words that were long enough, as well as not too complicated or upsetting for the kids’ version. Halloween seemed like an excellent category for children to play, but
8 Pro Tem • www.protemgl.com • March 30, 2022
translating most of the iconic, child-friendly words made them too short to be playable in the game. As a Halloween lover, I still wanted to include it as a category, though I had to move it to the version meant for older players to avoid putting anything too difficult or morbid on cards meant for little hands. As you can tell from these diverse challenges, translating word games ‘to the letter’ is not the best approach! Instead of prioritizing how close the translation is to the original, I chose to focus on translating
the true spirit of the game and adapting content when necessary. While it is gratifying to use game translation as a way to carry unique ideas across cultures so more people can play and have fun, translating games can be challenging, and it takes patience and consideration to do it well. Making sure you understand the rules and target audience expectations, and avoiding the inclusion of anything that could render the game unplayable, are key considerations to prioritize enjoyment for the target audience.
Métropole
Les meilleures vacances Coffee Shop d’été au Canada Reflections: Bidding Farewell to Réjean Ghanem the 2021-22 School French Journalist Avez-vous hâte de profiter de l’été à venir (mais ne savez pas comYear ment passer la saison?) ou cherchez-vous peut-être à explorer le Michael Aquilino English Journalist The other day, I went to a coffee shop with my girlfriend. I ordered a medium cappuccino, and she ordered a medium cold brew, with one cream and one sugar. We had also bought a bowl of fruit to share, a chocolate-chip cookie, and a croissant. After we had ordered, we made our way to the back of the quaint shop, and sat at a table in the corner. Our drinks were delivered to us, and we began to work on our respective assignments. This was the first time that I had ever done school work outside of the confines of my bedroom, or York’s many libraries. We spent the afternoon working earnestly, and talking during our periods of writer’s block (a frequent occurrence). The atmosphere, in spite of how cliché it may have been, was perfect. I felt as if I was in a movie. Perhaps one of those 1980s bratpack classics, or even Good Will Hunting. I felt as if all of the worries of the world had been left at the shop’s front steps, as if the strong, yet gratifying, aroma of fresh coffee grounds had shielded me from the overwhelming stench of life’s many pressures. Life is not an easy ordeal, and with my best friend sitting across from me, a classic rock station humming from the shop’s radio, and a true sense of inner peace, I found solace and comfort in knowing that everything will come to work itself out. It is from this context then, that I couldn’t help but ponder upon the events of the past year, every year that had come before it, and all of those that were still yet to come. Since the dawn of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, life hasn’t quite felt the same as it once was. People’s entire lives, everything they had grown accustomed to, was swept out from under their feet during that dreadful month, and during the months to follow. High school seniors lost irreplaceable pieces of their childhood, including graduations and proms. Those in university and beyond, in the process of discovering just who they are and who they want to become, were barred from experiencing life as they had always imagined it. That is just the thing: imagination is a very
Canada ? Une grande chose qui est ressortie de la pandémie est l’augmentation des voyages intérieurs. Il y a tellement de choses à découvrir dans un pays aussi vaste que beau comme le nôtre ; tous les endroits que j’ai énumérés ici sont à remettre en état. 1. Tobermory (La Grotte) en Ontario.Si vous ne vous êtes pas rendu à Tobermory, c’est maintenant le temps pour y explorer. À environ trois heures de Toronto, vous pouvez observer de belles eaux cristallines entourées de plages rocheuses. C’est comme un paradis. Cependant, il faut planifier votre voyage rapidement. Les places de stationnement, dont l’achat est obligatoire avant votre visite, se remplissent très rapidement. Honnêtement, je réserverais pour l’été avant la fin d’avril. Depuis qu’il a été présenté sur le site de Narcity, Tobermory est devenu incroyablement touristique. Vous pouvez faire un week-end amusant, nageant dans la grotte. 2. Squamish et Tofino. Où ? Colombie britannique. Si vous aimez faire de la randonnée, si vous aimez les cascades et si vous profitez d’une vue panoramique, Squamish répondra à votre goût. Situé à proximité de Vancouver, un bus peut vous emmener à Squamish où vous pourrez passer une journée ou deux dans la nature : c’est un excellent moyen de se déconnecter de la ville animée. À Tofino, vous pouvez nager et surfer. C’est un peu plus loin de Vancouver, mais ça vaut le détour. La planification d’un tel voyage nécessite au moins d’être commencée un mois à l’avance. Soyez certains d’avoir prévu des hébergements, car ces deux endroits sont également très fréquentés pendant l’été. De nombreux Canadiens viennent ici pour y passer leurs vacances. 3. La piste Cabot en Nouvelle-Écosse. Je parie que vous avez oublié le côté atlantique du Canada. Le Cabot Trail se trouve sur une île au large de la Nouvelle-Écosse appelée Cap-Breton. Entouré par l’Atlantique, ce sentier offre aux randonneurs la vue dangerous term. In our youth, our imaginations are fostered; we are told to dream, and to strive for greatness, yet the problem lies in the fact that imagination is incredibly romanticized. We look to movies, TV shows, music, books and more, in order to fill the gaps that exist in our lives. We are often left dissatisfied then, when reality fails to live up to our expectations–movies seen, songs heard, and books read. We may feel like we are not living their lives to the fullest, or experiencing all that we should. These feelings became especially pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic. But I urge you not to dwell upon the realms of fiction, or even the real stories of your parents or grandparents. Instead, contemplate your own life, and how you can realize all that you want to do, see, and be. Cue the cliché, but you are the star of your own movie, the singer of your own
la plus magnifique à dérober. La planification de cette destination ne nécessite pas trop de préparation, mais assurez-vous d’apporter une bonne paire de chaussures. Avant de quitter la Nouvelle-Écosse, assurez-vous de vous arrêter à Lunenberg. Cette jolie ville propose d’excellents fruits de mer, ce qui est un site du patrimoine mondial de l’UNESCO. 4. Montréal, Québec.Si vous recherchez une vie nocturne amusante, Montréal est définitivement l’endroit à fréquenter. Souvent décrite comme ayant la meilleure vie nocturne au Canada, Montréal regorge de bars uniques. Découvrez Le Royal, Knox ou Milky Way. L’esthétique ici est très belle et vous passerez forcément un bon moment. De plus, Montréal est un endroit qui nécessite une excellente pratique de français pour nous en tant qu’étudiants à Glendon. La préparation pour voyager vers une destination comme Montréal n’est pas aussi fastidieuse que les endroits mentionnés précédemment, mais planifiez certainement un itinéraire pour vous et pour vos amis afin de ne rien manquer. 5. Banff. Où ? Alberta.Que sera la pertinence de l’article sans la mention d’un voyage à Banff ? Ce serait un blasphème canadien de ne pas mentionner l’un des endroits les plus touristiques et les plus beaux de tout le Canada. Si vous n’avez pas voyagé à Banff, vous devez absolument y aller. C’est toujours l’un des premiers endroits mentionnés lorsque les étrangers posent des questions sur la nature canadienne. En sortant de l’Alberta, si vous avez le temps, visitez Edmonton Mall — le plus grand centre commercial du pays !
song, and the protagonist of your own novel! The best movies are not those we see on screen, but rather, those we feel through our hearts. The best songs are not those we hear through our phones, but rather, those we feel through our souls. The best stories are not those we read under the lights of our nightstand lamps, but rather, those that we create ourselves! We are the best embodiment of everything we’ve ever known. Life has impacted us in a multitude of ways, profound or not, and has helped shape us into the very people that we are today. As COVID-19 restrictions begin to lift, the weather gets better, and the pandemic seemingly draws to a close, I hope that you will be able to achieve all of your greatest aspirations, because you are more than capable of doing so. Whatever your future may hold, just know that now, at this very moment, you
are exactly where you should be, and, in time, will get to where you need to be. As such, no matter where you plan on going, or what you plan on doing this September, or rather, where life will direct you, Glendon will always be there to welcome you home. In the meantime, stay safe and do not worry; it will all be okay. I congratulate graduates of both the Glendon and Keele campuses, and wish returning students the best of luck!
Pro Tem • www.protemgl.com • le 30 mars 2022 9
Metropolis
Exclusive: Pro Tem Formally Rebranding as Part of University Deal Ameer Shash Contributor York University has announced a major change for its media outlets on campus – an unprecedented restructuring of its student-run campus newspapers at a cost of $2.3 million. Announced on Monday, the University says its campus papers, Excalibur and Glendon’s Pro Tem, will undergo major changes intended to “enhance the student experience.” This includes a change of the logos of both papers, renovation of staff offices, increased quality of newsprint material, and better equipment to assist its editorial staff. The move follows a decline in writers, and continued sentiment of student disengagement and disinterest. The
University had refused to comment on what was construed to many students as “exorbitant spending.” According to a report obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, the breakdown for both projects is as follows: $12,000 for 4 Apple iMac Units, along with accessories; $550,000 for the construction and extensions for new office spaces, estimated at 120 x 60 feet; $6,400 for massage chairs, recessed lighting, and office chairs; $5,200 for Samsung Family Hub Tech Fridges; and $3,000 for vending machines. The remaining $1,719,700 is listed under the report as “Other Costs,” most of which include material and digital rebranding. An anonymous second-year student studying computer science finds the omission of the decision appalling. “I’ve paid upwards of nearly $16,000 for all my courses and textbooks last year. If you expect me to pay for a newspaper that I don’t bother to read, you’ve got to be out of your mind,” she asserts. The University says students will not be affected financially by the restructuring plan, defending its decision by stating that, “the university will continually monitor and assess the financial impacts of our re-
structuring model. We can assure students that on-campus services and tuition costs will not be affected.” A designer contracted for the building of the new website tells Pro Tem that the website will be user-friendly and easy to navigate. “It’s going to be something never seen before.” However, he gave us a sneak peek of what the site may look like upon the completion of the project, which will take place gradually throughout the upcoming 2022-2023 academic year.
sensical yet strangely compelling—walk barefoot outdoors in the snow. I ventured outside, feet bare and bootless, in -11 °C snowy weather—and lived to tell you all the tale! Although it wasn’t quite the same experience, especially without the warm embrace of the Jamaican sun, here are three incredible health benefits of walking barefoot in the snow. 1. Reduced inflammation. Cryotherapy, or cold therapy, is used worldwide by various medical professionals to treat patients who are suffering from inflammation. While writing this article, I recalled seeing numerous videos on YouTube of the World’s Fastest Man, Usain Bolt, and other top athletes who have engaged in cold therapy. Before embracing the cold barefoot, ensure that you are an ultra-adventurous individual or a “chill” person who is open-minded. 2. Improved immunity. By embracing the cold through walking barefoot in the snow, the body strengthens its tolerance to extreme cold weather that may typically induce sickness. If you’re just starting out, make sure you start slowly and wear socks if you find the cold intolerable. Over time, as you build up tolerance towards the cold, remove the socks and increase your time walking in the snow.
3. Intensified ecstasy. Whether you prefer to walk, run, skip, or dance, prepare for a distinctive ecstatic experience. Feel the nerve endings light up the soul within the sole of your feet like cold fireworks. Yes, cold fireworks. The texture of the fresh snow feels like grounding on untouched white sandy beaches in the Caribbean, yet so different. Maybe it’s the unique texture and chilliness that gives an exhilarating rush of gratification. That supreme power of grounding, channelled without touching the ground, is made possible through the cold and silky-smooth snow that acts as the spiritual “middle-man.” Before heading outside to explore the benefits of walking barefoot in the snow, ensure that you do not have any ailments such as arthritis, especially in your legs. Walk in areas that are familiar and safe to prevent certain harmful or sharp debris from injuring your feet and carry a backpack as a precaution with your warm winter socks and shoes if you decide to walk long distances. Always go at your own pace: challenge your tolerance levels on each occasion, but avoid overdoing it and know when to stop. Personally, I have felt an overall improvement in my physical and mental well-being from walking barefoot in the
Photo par Ameer Shash
In the meantime, students should realize that it is April Fools’ Day tomorrow, and neither Pro Tem nor Excalibur has plans to change.
Health and Wellness
Three Health Benefits of Walking Barefoot in Snow Elton Campbell Layout Designer As a son of Jamaican soil, I grew up basking in the warm, golden sunshine all year round. I would run barefoot outside, sidestepping my parents who would always shout at me to put on my flip-flops or shoes. Of course, I would never listen; there is something ineffable and invigorating about walking barefoot outdoors, toes pressed upon grass or sand, no barriers between the sole of your foot and the ground below. Indeed, grounding is one of the main terms many traditional health enthusiasts use to describe such activities. If I had to list the things that I least liked about Canada, the inability to practice grounding in a spontaneous manner would be among my top three. This is largely due to Canada’s infamously long, cold winters. However, this year, and for the first time during a Canadian winter, I decided that I would do something ostensibly non-
10 Pro Tem • www.protemgl.com • March 30, 2022
Photo par Elton Campbell
snow. Fellow Canadians, I encourage you to partake in this healthy activity the next time you’re dreaming of the beach!
Santé et bien-être
A New Food Initiative at Glendon: The Glendon Cooking Club Mae Shibasaki Contributor Why is there so much negativity around the topic of food at Glendon? Why is there so much dissatisfaction with the Glendon Cafeteria, and why is there such striking similarity between student satisfaction with the cafeteria today as 5 years ago? Why is it so difficult for students in residences with special dietary needs to gain kitchen access when it is clear the cafeteria is not meeting their needs? Why are we made to feel like this situation is inevitable and that there is nothing we can do about it? These are some of the problems that the Glendon Cooking Club (GCC), a new student club, was formed to address. GCC is a student-led cooking initiative promoting students’ right to adequate food and democratic participation in food provision at Glendon. We believe that healthy, culturally diverse, and affordable food should be accessible to all Glendon students. Our goal is to establish an alternative food system by cooking and serving food regularly so that students can have more choices. With the passion for cooking our own food on campus, GCC opens up a space where students can have a conversation about how food is produced, processed, and distributed in the global economy and initiate a transformation towards more sustainable and just food services (based on Kate Raworth’s doughnut economics model and the UN sustainability goals). In light of the climate emergency, all aspects of our consumption model need to be rethought to reduce our carbon footprint. GCC seeks to contribute to this conversation. There are so many examples of student-led food services in other universities across Canada. The list includes The Hive Cafe (Concordia University), The People’s Potato (Concordia University),
Midnight Kitchen (McGill University), Seasoned Spoon (Trent University), and more. The Loaded Ladle at Dalhousie University serves allergy-free vegan lunch four times a week for free. Their operation is mainly run by volunteers, and the space is open to all the community members. Their non-hierarchical decision-making process creates a space where students feel encouraged to discuss food sovereignty, food security, and food justice. They also provide cooking classes! GCC wants to do something similar, where students can cook together while feeling a sense of accomplishment outside of school work. We also have a food initiative here at Glendon: The Lunik Co-op. The Lunik Co-op was started in 2008 by students who were frustrated with the Glendon Cafeteria and wanted a student-run cafe on campus that served sustainable food at affordable prices. Crucial to this plan was a kitchen renovation, but due to endless roadblocks put in place by the administration at the time, it has never happened. When Lunik opened in 2011, it was without the envisioned kitchen, limited to serving coffee, other drinks, and packaged food. While Lunik is absolutely a success and has become an important student social space, the original vision of affordable sustainable food could not yet be realized. Eating food is something that we all have in common. If we can make the conversation about food a positive one, it will also have a positive impact on not only the health of individuals but also on the health of the Glendon community as a whole. What if we can cook our own food and eat whenever and whatever we want? What if GCC can offer a catering service when there are student-run events and conferences? What if we can share each of our favourite recipes and celebrate our diversity through food, or practice our second language while cooking together? The possibilities are endless. We were told that York is creating a Request for Proposal (RFP) to review the current food services and the contract with Aramark. While there was an initial promise that the Glendon Food Services Advisory Committee would be involved in the creation of the RFP, it now turns out that Keele Food Services already published the RFP. However, the Glendon Food Services Advisory Committee is still a great opportu-
Photo par Mae Shibasaki
nity for the Glendon community to demand improvements to the food services in the Glendon cafeteria on an ongoing basis. For this reason, throughout March, GCC promoted a petition that indicates 6 action items, including giving students on residence and student initiatives more flexible kitchen access. As of March 18, we have gathered over 130 signatures and the petition has been officially endorsed by the GCSU. Creating a club has given us a structure and a political voice as students
in residences and commuter students concerned about affordable and sustainable food options. However, GCC is not enough to create a systemic change. We need every Glendon community member to raise their voices on this issue to increase the transparency of food services in Glendon. If you would like to know more about us, follow us on Instagram @glendoncookingclub or email us at glendoncookingclub@gmail. com.
Pro Tem • www.protemgl.com • le 30 mars 2022 11
Issues and Ideas
The War in Ukraine Through the Eyes of a Cat Brianna Carrasco Editor in Chief You might have seen the video that made Stepan the Ukrainian cat go viral online— the striped cat sitting quietly in the corner while a group of dogs “twerk” to My Humps by Black Eyed Peas. Stepan watches, unimpressed, and lowers his eyes in shame. The video became a meme, with people commenting: “Me when I’m the only sober one at the party.” As a cat owner and lover, I had to click the “follow” button. I soon learned that this is Stepan’s whole personality— his owner, Anna, posts pictures of Stepan, usually sitting with one paw on the table, a beverage placed next to him, and his own jaded expression unwavering. He has since become Ukraine’s most popular cat with one million followers, a feature on Britney Spears’ Instagram page, and even a collaboration with Valentino. Stepan, who is 13 years old and was rescued from the streets of Kharkiv, Ukraine when he was a month old, has lived a successful life! On February 24th, the day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Stepan posted on his Instagram page: “Ukraine wants peace.” My stomach immediately dropped as I remembered that he lives in Kharkiv, a city that’s a major target for the Russian military. At the beginning of March, he posted a photo of himself, followed by photos of his neighbourhood in Kharkiv, where buildings had been destroyed and smoke filled the air. In the early morning, he would post the sounds of bombs in the distance. While watching these videos, I realized that I was staying updated on the war in Ukraine through the posts of an Instagram-famous cat. I found myself thinking of him throughout the day, wondering if he was okay, if his owner was safe, or if they planned on fleeing. I would look at my own cat and give her a little rub, thankful that she was safe at home with me. For 12 days, Stepan didn’t post on Instagram, and I feared the worst until March 16th, when he updated his Instagram followers with the events of the last two weeks. After a few days without electricity and hiding in a basement, Kharkiv volunteers helped him and his owner to the train station where they rode 20 hours to Lviv, Ukraine. At the Polish border, they waited nine hours in line with thousands of other
refugees. Upon entry, the World Influencers and Bloggers Association helped them reach France, where they are currently residing. In the photos, we see Stepan looking out a train window, in a tent wrapped in a winter coat, and waiting in his cat carrier on a sidewalk. It was absolutely heartbreaking to witness Stepan’s life go from being featured on Ukrainian morning news stations and being dressed up in Halloween costumes to fleeing Ukraine and becoming a refugee in a country he had never lived in before. This is the reality not only of Stepan, but of thousands of Ukrainians, and victims of war around the globe. When you own a pet, you would do anything to keep them safe, because they’re family. I picture my own pets in the same situation as Stepan. My dog, a 14-year-old chocolate lab who has trouble walking, would be unable to handle the process of fleeing and becoming a refugee. Many Ukrainians are in the same situation and are faced with the decision of leaving their pet behind and fleeing without them, or staying behind with their pets and risking death. In 2018, a similar situation was documented in the Netflix docuseries “Dogs.” The second episode featured a Syrian refugee, Ayham, who fled to Germany, leaving his dog, Zeus, behind with his best friend. For the next two years, Ayham and animal welfare groups tried to reunite them. Finally, after two long years apart, Ayham and Zeus found each other in Berlin. By the end of the hour-long episode, I was in tears.
12 Pro Tem • www.protemgl.com • March 30, 2022
Photo par @loveyoustepan sur Instagram
Seeing the Ukrainian refugee crisis through Stepan’s Instagram account and remembering that Ayham never stopped trying to get his dog to safety in Germany is a testament to our love for our pets. There are dozens of animal welfare groups across Europe right now who are trying to shelter animals of owners who had
to flee without them or are helping to evacuate pets out of Ukraine. I encourage you to research them and see if there is any way you can help. If that seems too big of a feat, then I ask pet owners to do one thing: give your pets a snuggle, be thankful that they are safe at home with you, and never let them go.