The Queen's Journal, Volume 152, Issue 23

EDITORIALS

DIVERSIONS

the journal

Ted Hsu re-elected MPP for Kingston and the Islands

‘I’m very eager to get back to work’

Aya Alhasany & Jonathan Reilly Assistant News Editors

In a six-way race to represent their riding at the provincial level, Kingstonians have re-elected incumbent Liberal candidate Ted Hsu as their Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP).

With 54,065 Kingston and the Islands residents voting for their next MPP, Hsu won with 33,288 votes—over 21,000 more than runner-up PC Ian Chapelle, who received 12,022. New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate Elliot Goodell Ugalde, a political studies PhD candidate, placed third with 6,663 votes.

Hsu’s supporters watched the votes come in from Downtown Kingston at Mercury Bar & Lounge. Upon his arrival, Hsu greeted his supporters and gave a speech thanking all the people who worked on his campaign, adding his excitement to be back in office.

“I’m very eager to get back to work because we are facing multiple crises. Everything from our health care system, our lack of housing and the cost of housing, the cost of living, to our education system,” Hsu said in his victory speech.

Hsu also referenced issues specifically relating to young people, and how it’s a source of motivation for him.

Hsu also referenced issues specifically relating to young people, and how it’s a source of motivation for him.

“Young people today are facing a demographic shift [meaning] there’s a lot less young people to support older people who are retired, there’s a large public debt that you’re inheriting, and on top of that, we have the climate crisis that is going to be a burden especially on young people,” Hsu said.

He answered some direct questions from the media after his victory speech. In an interview with The Journal, he explained some of the concerns he sees students facing.

“I went to visit a food bank

for graduate students at Queen’s, and so just the living conditions of students is a concern, and that’s something we can advocate for,” Hsu said. He later added, “it makes sense in my mind to make sure young people have a good start in life, and so subsidizing their education better, I think, makes a lot of sense.”

Hsu was asked how the Liberals will plan to work with the recently re-elected majority Conservative government to tackle the challenges he outlined.

“Whether it’s in question period, whether it’s written questions, whether it’s putting the minister on the spot when he’s testifying in committee, we can put forward Private Member’s bills to provide

alternatives to the government, we can do press conferences, we can have rallies, there’s a lot of things we can do to draw attention,” Hsu said.

Goodell Ugalde, his campaign team, and his supporters watched from the RCHA Club as the votes came in. Following the riding results around 9:35 p.m., Goodell Ugalde’s campaign manager thanked attendees for coming.

The television screen showed Marit Stiles resecuring her seat as Leader of the Official Opposition of Ontario for the NDP, filling the room with cheers and clapping. The Liberals came in third behind the PCs who won their third straight majority government.

Goodell Ugalde gave a speech

Goodell Ugalde gave a speech to the room, noting while the loss wasn’t the desired result, his team is going to “keep fighting.”

“Things are getting progressively worse, and I’m so proud of each and every one of you for refusing to let this moment pass us by without a fight.” He told the room that the next fight is the next provincial campaign, which he plans to start prepping for tomorrow.

In an interview with The Journal, Goodell Ugalde emphasized continuing efforts despite the loss.

“I’m going to go back to doing what I do best, which is grassroots organizing, depending on whether or not Queen’s University comes to the bargaining table fairly. You’ll see me on the picket line with my brothers and sisters in United Steelworkers (USW) 2010 and Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) 901, and the next campaign starts tomorrow.”

In the 2022 election, Hsu won the seat with 18,354 votes, 3,170 more than second-place NDP candidate Mary Rita Holland.

The riding has been historically stronghold for the Ontario Liberal Party, holding the seat for the majority of the last 30 years. The exception came in 2018 when Ian Arthur of the NDP unseated incumbent Liberal Sophie Kiwala. No Progressive Conservative has won since 1981.

Hsu will serve alongside 13 other Liberal MPPs in the provincial government led by Premier Doug Ford.

Ted Hsu speaking to the crowd after finding out he had been re-elected as MPP.

PHOTO BY HERBERT WANG

Principal Deane discusses provincial election, funding, and ‘Bicentennial Vision’

Aya Alhasany & Jonathan Reilly Assistant News Editors

On the day Ontarians cast their ballots, Senate turned its focus to the future of higher education and the University’s path ahead.

The Senate met in Robert Sutherland Hall at 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 27, with an online option to join. The meeting lasted just over an hour.

Principal Patrick Deane began the meeting with an acknowledgement of the recent passing of Benjamin Jack Martin, a third-year Arts and Sciences student who passed on

Higher education at the forefront of Senate amid provincial elections

Jan. 15. Martin was a Dean’s Scholar in his first two years with aspirations of becoming an urban planner. Deane invited the Senate to observe a moment of silence.

In his report, Deane emphasized the significance of the provincial elections happening the same day, highlighting their impact on the future of higher education. This election, Queen’s didn’t have any on-campus polling stations. He referenced issues taking place at York University where 18 programs were recently suspended, and also expressed concerns regarding the platforms of the Liberal and Conservative parties of Ontario.

Criticizing the Ontario Liberal and Conservative Party platforms, he noted the Liberals’ Feb. 11 proposal of a 10 per cent cap on international student enrollment for each Ontario college and university. Meanwhile, the Conservatives Feb. 24 platform release focused on worker protection but

omitted universities from economic development and ignored tuition freeze concerns.

“Universities are not top of mind for government, nor do the parties vying for election believe they are top of mind in the electorate. So, this means, of course, that regardless of the outcome of today, the work that the universities face will continue lobbying will have to continue unabated,” Deane said.

Moving into an open question period following the Principal, Provost and Research Reports, Society of Graduate and Professional Students (SGPS) President Emils Matiss asked a three-part question to Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) Matthew Evans, on whether the Queen’s Graduate Award is currently still not under any review that would seek to change the award, whether it will remain in place for students in the coming 2025 school year, and if students who enter a two-year program in 2025

Five Kingston organizations hope to reinvigorate love for the city’s local offerings

Pandemic-revived campaign aims to counter potential tariff threats

Aya

Alhasany Assistant News Editor

With tariffs hovering over Canadians, the City of Kingston wants its residents to keep their loonies local.

First launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to boost attraction to local businesses, the Love Kingston campaign has been revived as of Feb. 18 amidst tariff threats from United States President Donald Trump. In collaboration with five organizations—including Tourism Kingston and the Downtown Kingston Business Improvement Area (BIA)—the campaign hopes to encourage local spending.

“With tariffs on top of LaSalle Causeway being closed last year, on top of paying back Canada Emergency Business Account loans, on top of the pandemic, the small business communities and [...] some medium and large sized businesses are really reeling,” Executive Director of Downtown Kingston BIA Marijo Cuerrier said in an interview with The Journal.

At the Feb. 18 City Council meeting, Lakeside District Councillor Wendy Stephen proposed reviving the campaign, raising the “Shop Local” motion, which passed by a majority. The motion opposed tariffs and urged federal and provincial governments to remove interprovincial trade barriers.

“What Wendy is suggesting

will still be guaranteed the funding for both years.

Provost Evans replied “yes,” in an answer to all three questions, later adding “I really don’t think this answer has changed in the last three Senates.”

Mary Olmstead, a professor in the Department of Psychology asked Deane for a summary of the new provisions on the Harassment and Discrimination Prevention and Response Policy, effective Jan. 31. Stephanie Simpson, vice-principal (culture, equity, and inclusion), said the policy was revised in response to the Ontario Minister of Colleges and Universities’ antihate and anti-racism directive, adding a reference to racism and requiring annual statistics on racism.

Senate moved into a discussion period on the 2041 “Queen’s Bicentennial Vision” discussion paper where Petra Fachinger, a professor in the Department of English Literature and Creative Writing,

asked Deane about his use of the word “integration” in his paper.

One example of Deane’s use of the concept of integration in the paper states, “Queen’s will commit to the comprehensive preparation of educators by integrating evidence-based pedagogical training and ongoing professional development into the academic career path.”

In response to Fachinger, Deane assured he isn’t looking at the “forced amalgamation” of various departments but rather trying to produce more holistically educated students.

“I’m talking about something that I believe in actually quite passionately, which is the importance of educating students, even in highly specialized technical areas, with a broad social-cultural awareness and the ability to situate the technical work they do in a human context, and the context of culture,” Deane said.

The next Senate will reconvene on March 27.

Cross-Country athletes organize drive to repurpose shoes for those inneed

[…] is to as a larger linked community, really spread the same message at the same time and really concentrate our efforts specifically on supporting the local community, but in particular Downtown Kingston,” Cuerrier said.

For Downtown Kingston BIA, Cuerrier elaborated their marketing strategy has shifted to focus on the stories of downtown business owners through social media, in addition to multi-layered advertising through mail, press releases, and advertising on Main St.

“What we’re bringing to the table is just really focusing on the humanity of downtown and creating an emotional connection to the people that have a choice to shop [downtown],” Cuerrier noted.

Nicolas Lamp, a law professor cross-appointed to policy studies, sees the local campaign as both a psychological and economic response—channeling

or Florida.

However, he sees a long-term fixas unnecessary, questioning how long US tariffs could last amid potential Canadian retaliation. He believes a realistic view of tariffs’ impact on Kingston is nessecary, pointing out key sectors like post-secondary institutions, prisons, and the military are “relatively immune” to direct effects.

He acknowledged that, despite direct immunity, the indirect impact of higher costs for American products by potential retaliatory tariffs from Canada would produce less disposable income for Kingston, impacting universities, service providers, and tourism providers.

“The Love Kingston campaign might be able to cushion that [lowered disposable income] a little bit,” Lamp said. “As we have a general reduction of purchasing power, if more of that purchasing power that might’ve gone to the US

frustration with the US into renewed appreciation for Canadian goods.

Lamp doubts the campaign’s longevity, noting Kingston’s limited draw compared to destinations like New York

before goes to Kingston, that would be good.”

Efforts for the Love Kingston campaign are underway for all five organizations.

‘You just need shoes to be able to participate in life’

Aya Alhasany Assistant News Editor

Three cross-country athletes are lacing up for a cause, donating their shoes in the hopes no one goes without a pair.

In collaboration with the Varsity Leadership Council (VLC), the Queen’s Cross-Country (XC) & Track team is holding the second iteration of a running shoe drive for the local Kingston community as part of the ReRUN Shoe Project. Between Feb. 26 and 28 from 12 to 3 p.m., students and community members can head over to the ARC to donate their lightly used running shoes. All shoes will be donated to BGC South East, formerly known as the Boys and Girls Club of Kingston & Area—an organization which provides youth with supportive spaces and skill-building activities, including physical activities.

ReRUN was co-founded in June 2016 by cross-country Canadian Olympian and current Queen’s Athlete Services Coordinator Julie-Anne Staehli, MSc ’19, alongside Kurtis Marlow, at a Kingston road race.

The Journal interviewed the drive’s organizers, Caleigh Pribaz, Kin ’26, and vice-president of Indigenization - equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, and accessibility at VLC, along with Olivia Hendrikx, MD ’27, and Kara Parkins, Kin ’25, all of whom are Cross-Country (XC) & Track team athletes and members of VLC. Speaking on behalf of Queen’s students athletes, VLC aims to promote a positive

image of Queen’s Athletics. The three athletes detailed the history of the drive and their hopes for the year.

Pribaz and Parkins began exploring ways to donate their running shoes while supporting the local community last year and, they discovered ReRuN through Staehli and then organized their first drive last April.

Pribaz explained runners can burn through a pair of shoes in as little as a month and a half.

“When you run in your shoes for so many kilometres, they kind of wear out. But it doesn’t mean that you can’t still wear them for walking around or playing sports,” she said.

The three athletes claim the drive’s goal is not only providing shoes locally but also fostering community involvement and making running more accessible by removing the cost barrier for quality footwear.

In an interview with The Journal, Staehli re-called the history behind her co-founding ReRUN.

“The idea is that the shoes are going directly back into that local community,” she said. “I think a lot of the times we see it [shoes] as physical activity, sports participation, but you just need shoes to be able to participate in life.”

While the project doesn’t have a specific target for the number of shoe donations it hopes to receieve, ReRUN has donated over 5,800 pairs of shoes since June 2016.

Staehli explained her main goal going forward is to create a more “formal structure” for the project by turning it into a nationally recognized organization.

The shoe drive is accepting donations until Feb. 28 at 3 p.m.

The campaign was revived Feb. 18.

PHOTO BY NELSON CHEN

aMs Joins fight for fossil fuel divestMent

Over 600 students and community members support QBACC petition

Jonathan Reilly Assistant News Editor

The AMS and students-at-large are calling on the University to align its investments with sustainability.

Queen’s Backing Action on the Climate Crisis (QBACC) started a petition to demand Queen’s divest from fossil fuelinvestments. The petition has garnered over 600 signatures since Feb. 1.

According to QBACC Co-President and AMS Commissioner of External Affairs

Dreyden George, ArtSci ’26, they plan on submitting the petition to the University within the next week, aiming to establish a divestment committee. QBACC, an AMS-ratified club focused on reducing fossil fuel reliance, argues since the University states they value environmental sustainability, outlined in its Partnering for a Greener Future page, the institution’s investments should reflect them.

QBACC’s petition received formal support from the AMS during November’s Special General Assembly, where a motion passed for the Society to endorse QBACC’s petition for Queen’s to divest its $1.492 billion endowment fund from fossil fuels. In an interview with The Journal, George explained why it was particularly important to receive support during that assembly.

“We wanted to do it at Special General Assembly where every student has a vote. It’s kind of even more of a consensus-building nature, we thought,” George said.

In an interview with The Journal, George cited examples of other North American post-secondary institutions already undergoing fossil fuel divestment, including Brown University in 2020, Columbia University in 2017, Cornell University in 2020, the University of Toronto in 2022, and New York University in 2023.

Outlined in procedure two of the University’s current Responsible Investing Policy, a petition requires 200 signatures and a minimum of 20 signatures must come from three of the following groups: faculty, staff, students, alumni, and retirees. The secretariat will then verify the request and send it to the principal, who will convene a review committee for responsible investment. This committee will then advise the principal if they think further action is necessary.

George said the last time QBACC successfully ran a petition like this was in 2019, when the University committed to slowly decarbonizing its portfolio, meaning Queen’s total investment portfolio has to balance out at zero carbon. This allowed the University to remain invested in fossil fuels as long as they’re also invested in renewable energy.

In an interview with The Journal, AMS Commissioner of Environmental Sustainability Anne Fu, HealthSci ’25, explained the commission’s decision to support QBACC’s petition comes in accordance with the AMS’s Principles and Positions policies which were created in 2021.

‘Journal’

alumni recognized for excellence in student journalism

Sophia Coppolino awarded ‘Globe and Mail’ Student Journalist of the Year

Jonathan Reilly Assistant News Editor

A Journal alum racked up another national student journalism award, adding to last year’s win and securing a coveted title.

Sophia Coppolino, ArtSci ’24, was recognized for her contributions in the field and was named The Globe and Mail Student Journalist of the Year by the Canadian University Press on Feb. 15. This win builds on Coppolino’s recognition last year, when she and former Assistant News Editor Sofia Tosello were awarded a John H. McDonald award for excellence in News Reporting.

Having served as the Senior News Editor in Volume 151 and as an Assistant News Editor the year prior, Coppolino reflected on the significance of her time at The Journal and what it means to receive national recognition.

“I really am grateful to be recognized. You don’t get anywhere alone and had I not worked with my team, I don’t think that team would have put me forward to be recognized for the work that we did together,” Coppolino said in an interview with The Journal

Also shortlisted for two of her own bylines this year, Coppolino earned recognition in three of The Journal’s four short-listed categories.

Her nominations includes “The hazing incident that erased a prestigious Queen’s Commerce club,” winning a spot on the shortlist in the Investigative Reporting category alongside fellow Journal alumni Aimée Look, Comm ’24, and Asbah Ahmad, ArtSci ’24. Her story “Students protest secrecy over cuts to Queen’s Arts and Science outside town hall,” was nominated in the News Reporting category.

Coppolino explained that, after coming out of the pandemic in her third year, she joined The Journal to reconnect with the Kingston and Queen’s community through in-person engagement rather than isolation. She believes she succeeded in bridging that gap, forming lasting friendships along the way.

Just the other night, Coppolino had a long day of work and needed to talk to someone, so she called Ahmad, last year’s Editor in Chief and her Senior News Editor in Vol. 150.

“This is a lifelong friend of mine who I would have never met if I hadn’t been at The Journal,” Coppolino said.

Although late nights and print deadlines were staples of her time at the paper, the impact of the work she did is what kept her motivated.

“Stories that we wrote were being talked about at Senate, at committee meetings, amongst students about what was going on—they had no idea until they saw a Journal headline or a print copy on campus. People would message me on Instagram saying, ‘I read your story, I didn’t know this,’ and that’s the power of journalism, that’s the space it fills,” Coppolino said.

While her larger stories surrounding issues such as hazing and budget

BY

deficits were personal successes, she values smaller community and campus-based stories. She explained while they don’t necessarily hold the same weight, they demonstrate the importance of a local paper.

Coppolino highlighted Queen’s lack of a formal journalism school, with The Journal making up for it’s absence. She noted the paper’s robust network of award-winning journalists at prominent international and national publications, reflecting The Journal’s commitment to developing practical journalistic skills and nurturing a strong sense of community.

“I certainly feel like the News Editors and Editors in Chief who came before me paved the way, and so that’s definitely what I tried to do, and what I hope will continue to be done at The Journal,” Coppolino said.

The award was announced on Feb. 15.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

SOPHIA COPPOLINO

FEATURES

Mac-corry’s blueprint exists in a galaxy far, far away

‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and Mac-Corry certainly aroused both admiration and disdain’

Sarah Adams Features Editor

Brutalist buildings seem like they’ve stepped straight out of a disaster movie, often setting the stage for dystopian worlds and post-apocalyptic futures in both film and television and Mac-Corry follows suit.

George Lucas filmed multiple parts of Star Wars in Tunisia to capture the Brutalist architecture to give the film a more otherworldly and dystopian feel. The harsh, angular structures in Star Wars enhanced Tatooine’s desolate and alien atmosphere, contributing to its futuristic feel.

Brutalist architecture is characterized by its use of bare, unfinished concrete, and striking geometric shapes.

Closer to home than that far, far away galaxy, Mackintosh-Corry Hall (Mac-Corry), along with Jeffery Hall and John Watson Hall, could easily be plucked from the same cinematic universe as Star Wars

The Brutalist design of Mac-Corry—constructed in 1973 on the former site of George Richardson Memorial Stadium—feels more like a forgotten future than a modern academic building. The Canadian architect behind the building, Ronald Thom, passed in 1986.

Jacintha Luo, Sci ’25, explains how Mac-Corry reminds her of her favourite movie franchise, Star Wars She finds the building’s structure caught between the reality of campus life and the unspoken narrative of a world that might be, much like the dystopian cities seen in film.

The stories of Mac-Corry’s being and creation are shrouded in mystery—whether an architect’s descent into madness, a building born from personal strife, or a rumour of a design intended to stifle student protest is left up to interpretation.

Duncan McDowall, former University Historian at Queen’s, is the author of

Writing About Queen’s: A Historian Ponders His Alma Mater, a reflective history of the institution. Through years of research and writing, McDowall has gained an in-depth understanding of Queen’s history, delving into topics like “Challenging Limestone Liberalism: The Edwards Affair and the Hotel Hobbit.” This work partially examines the complex pressures surrounding Brutalist architecture and its influence on Queen’s decision-making in the ’70s.

“Beauty, they say, is in the eye of the beholder and Mac-Corry certainly aroused both admiration and disdain,” McDowall, ArtSci ’72, wrote in a statement to The Journal

Beyond this history—and unconfirmed myths—exists the more pressing truth of a building whose design and functionality reveal deeper flaws.

Love affair myth

Mac-Corry’s winding halls have sparked plenty of campus myths, but one stands out: it was designed to keep people from clashing.

“I was told a myth that Mac-Corry was constructed to be confusing to navigate due to people conflicting with one another. Sort of as a way to keep them from butting heads,” Emma Walcer, ArtSci ’26, said in a statement to The Journal

Whether this legend is true or not, it sounds a lot like a love story—two people, always running into each other, always at odds, until they realize they were never meant to find their way out alone.

In the fall of ’89, Stacy Kelly, ArtSci ’96, arrived on campus eager yet nervous, unaware that Mac-Corry’s labyrinthine halls would soon mirror a romance as complicated as its design.

“In first-year, I certainly got lost trying to figure Mac-Corry out, but it didn’t take too long to understand how to navigate the complex,” Kelly said.

Mac-Corry isn’t just a

current editor at The Logic

“Brutalist architecture has an interesting and somewhat tragic backstory worth exploring,” Leck said in a stamenet to The Journal.

“I heard at Queen’s that Mac-Corry was designed to prevent student protests—probably from another student, maybe at orientation. I can’t remember exactly when or where, but it felt like a compelling explanation about why the building was designed in such a strange and confusing way,” Leck said.

In true journalist fashion, his initial curiosity has since led him to dig deeper.

“I used to blindly believe the anti-protest story during my time at Queen’s, but my further research, which mostly came after the fact, has since changed my perspective.

building—it’s a puzzle, a test of patience, and, for the unlucky few, a trap. “You just need to understand that it’s not a linear building layout and that it’s a multi-level weirdo of a building with a lot of odd little passageways, stairwells, and zig-zags,” Kelly said.

One wrong turn, and you’re in a completely different wing than you started. Some say it was designed this way on purpose—to keep certain people apart, or maybe to push them together. Either way, once you step inside, finding your way out is only half the challenge.

Mac-Corry’s maze-like design has fueled plenty of theories, but one legend refuses to fade.

Students have spent decades blaming it’s impossible layout on something more sinister than poor planning.

“The enduring story during my undergrad years was that the architect had gone insane,” Kelly said.

Whether the madness came from the myth of a love story—two people destined to collide again and again—or from something else entirely, no one really knows.

“While the communal aspects were praised, its non-linear layout left many students and faculty confused, and the widespread use of drab concrete did not win favour. Over time, the building’s exterior became grimy, and its unconventional design continued to generate debate,” McDowall said.

But with its twisting corridors and stairwells leading nowhere, Mac-Corry feels less like a building and more like a riddle left behind by a mind unraveling.

Student protest myth

One long-standing campus rumour claims Mac-Corry’s Brutalist design was intentionally crafted to suppress student protests—a theory supported by Sebastian Leck, ArtSci ’16, The Journal’s Editor in Chief from 2015-16, and a

designed to deter protests, Leck points out their origins suggest otherwise.

“Brutalist buildings were planned before the mass student protest movements of the late ’60s, and part of the appeal of Brutalism is that concrete is also very cheap,” Leck said.

With its roots in utopian socialist movements, Brutalism actually aligns more with the ideals of student protesters than with any effort to suppress them.

Brutalism flourished in the Eastern Bloc for its affordability and its ability to convey collective identity and moral seriousness. Yet, as political sentiments shifted, Brutalist buildings became associated with oppressive regimes, leading to their fall from favour post-1970s.

I took a class on European intellectual history in my fourth year that covered topics like Haussmann in France and Modernism, which has really influenced how I think about it now,” Leck said.

“The protest myth is common across many universities in the US and Canada with Brutalist buildings from the ’70s. They’re often considered ugly and vaguely reminiscent of totalitarian governments, so they’re associated with anti-protest methods,” he added.

The myth that Brutalist architecture was intentionally designed to suppress student protests isn’t unique to Queen’s.

Similar stories circulate about Brutalist structures at institutions like Columbia University, where these buildings, often considered unattractive and reminiscent of totalitarian regimes, are frequently associated with methods used to suppress protests.

“Assuming a campus has a Brutalist building, [students] have probably been told a lie about it that goes something like, ‘Hideous, right? The administration chose that design because it was good at preventing student riots and occupations,’” J. Bryan Lowder said in a Slate article.

But the reality behind the construction of Brutalist buildings is more nuanced.

While architecture has historically been used to control public behaviour—Baron Haussmann’s 19th-century redesign of Paris is a prime example—there’s little evidence suggesting Mac-Corry was purposefully designed to stifle dissent.

In fact, despite what myths may say, Brutalism’s roots often reflect ideals far removed from authoritarianism.

“It appears Brutalist style fell out of fashion after the ’70s and became associated with Communist dictatorships, ironically, despite the intention to represent a new, more just and egalitarian society,” Leck said.

Despite the common myth that Brutalist buildings were

Mac-Corry fits into a broader narrative of Canadian Modernist architecture. Completed in ’73, it was part of a trend that gained momentum after Expo 67, the “Universal and International Exhibition,” aimed at breaking with Canada’s colonial past and moving towards an “anti-hierarchic” future.

“In the 1960s, as Ontario’s post-secondary education system rapidly expanded to accommodate the Baby Boom generation, Queen’s University grew from 3,600 to over 10,000 students, prompting the creation of new programs, faculty, and facilities, including the Mac-Corry Building, which was built to address the growing need for space on campus,” McDowall said.

“As students pushed for more control over their education in the ’60s, campus buildings like Mac-Corry were designed to offer flexible, adaptable spaces for changing academic needs,” McDowall said.

Architecture in the ’60s shifted from traditional limestone to modern materials like steel, glass, and concrete. This led to the rise of Brutalism, exemplified by Trent University’s campus which was also designed by Thom. James Ashby, an architecture scholar, wrote a paper on Thom himself.

Ashby believes Mac-Corry was conceived as a “megastructure,” a design philosophy popular at the time that sought to house multiple departments, services, and communal spaces—like its “student street”—under one massive, low-hanging roof rather than in a towering edifice. This structure rejects traditional academic layouts in favour of fluid, re-assignable modules, McDowall said.

According to McDowall, the design of Mac-Corry was meant to encourage interaction between students and faculty, challenging traditional academic hierarchies.

Story continued online at queensjournal.ca

The story of Mac-Corry’s construction revealed.

ILLUSTRATION BY SARAH ADAMS

Queen’s fails student voters

needed—information on how to register, polling station locations, and links to Elections Ontario. By speaking up and acting, these schools understand that civic engagement doesn’t happen on its own. Queen’s didn’t.

done more to ensure students were informed and engaged.

Whether Queen’s acknowledges it or not, a provincial election took place.

Yesterday, over five million Ontario residents hit the polls to decide the province’s future. But walking through campus in the weeks leading up to the snap election, you wouldn’t have known it was happening. No posters, no e-mails, no reminders from the administration—not even a post on Instagram. Just silence.

For a school that prides itself on civic engagement, Queen’s dropped the ball. Many students, especially those voting for the first time, faced confusion over where to vote, what ID was required, or whether they should cast a ballot in Kingston or their home riding. Other universities, like Waterloo and Laurier, made sure their students and faculty had the resources they

The only real efforts to inform one another about voting came from students themselves. The Rector, an elected student representative, put together a webpage with voting information and the AMS organized a Meet the Candidates event to help students engage with the people running to serve them. These were important initiatives, but the fact they had to come from student-run bodies, rather than the University administration, is telling.

What’s more frustrating is the University’s awareness of this election’s significance, but failure to communicate it to students. At the first Senate meeting of the year, Principal Patrick Deane discussed the election’s potential impact. At the Feb. 27 Senate—conveniently on voting day—Deane vocalized concern over the election, particiularly around what the platforms of the Liberals and Conservatives implied for higher education. Thus, it’s puzzling how such concerns could be kept quiet leading up to election day.

If Queen’s leadership can be concerned enough to discuss it behind closed doors, then they should’ve

third placeS Still exiSt, we’re juSt too preoccupied to find them

We’re so caught up in the digital world we barely make time to connect with people in real life.

Third places have become an almost mythological concept. We hear about the friend group gatherings of the ’90s from watching eccentric characters in shows like Friends and How I Met Your Mother magically find time every day to meet at coffee shops and bars just to hang out and chat.

We watch these shows for their comfort and coziness, wishing we were back in a time where third places—social spaces outside of school, work, and home—were easily found on any corner.

With our world becoming increasingly digitized, it’s hard for many of us to even picture that concept. The rise of social media, particularly apps like TikTok and X, have resulted in many social connections being formed or maintained through screens. Most people no longer go to coffee shops to catch up with friends—instead, we just open our devices and easily connect with anyone we want to speak to.

To revive third places, we need to make a conscious effort to step away from virtual communities.

That’s not to say it’s easy to dedicate time from your day to just talk to people. With the stress of work and school, the difficulty of finding establishments open after 5 p.m. in smaller cities and towns, and the rising cost of a cappuccino, it’s become difficult for us to engage with our friends and family in person. Physical spaces are bested by the ease and comfort of digital communication.

Yet, staying complacent and confined to our devices doesn’t help either. Studies show that third places have benefits on psychological well-being and mental health, while social media often exacerbates feelings of isolation. To get the social support we need, we must actively seek it rather than waiting for it to come to us.

So, ask your friends to meet up at the local library—a free and accessible space—and study together from time to time. If you can’t justify spending money on ridiculously priced coffee at a café, that’s fine too. Find a coffee shop near you that doesn’t require you to purchase something to sit there. People watch, gather up a few of your friends, or brave the fear of interacting with someone new. Make a habit out of stepping outside your comfort zone away from your phone, and you might be the lucky member of a new physical community—one that doesn’t consist of names and avatars on a screen.

We can’t keep longing for community from a distance. It’s time to grab the reins ourselves.

Aya is a first-year Health Sciences student and one of The Journal’s Assistant News Editors.

Universities are meant to be places where civic participation is encouraged, yet ours let an election pass by without so much as an acknowledgment. This silence isn’t just an oversight—it’s a failure to support student democracy.

Students are a powerful voting bloc, and when they turn out, they can make a real difference. But participation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It requires institutions like Queen’s to put forth efforts—to treat student voters as more than an afterthought.

This election wasn’t insignificant, as issues like housing, healthcare, and education funding were on the ballot—all of which directly impact students.

If the University truly cares about the role of young people in shaping Canada’s future, it must begin by doing the bare minimum: making sure they know how to cast a ballot.

Allie and Skylar are fourth-year Political Studies students and The Journal’s Editors in Chief.

Stop trying to make your grandparentS proud

Sarah Eklove Opinions Editor

Tradition should enhance your life, not dictate it.

Political disagreements with older generations are common—maybe even expected. But coming to terms with differences in values and fundamental principles that will shape the way your family sees you is a harder pill to swallow. But a necessary one nonetheless. Embracing independent thinking and personal research is paramount to finding yourself.

At 18 years old, when I decided to attend a university in Ontario, I knew I was crushing my family’s dreams. While my parents always supported my siblings and I in pursuing education and becoming whoever we wanted to be, I knew my lack of urgency to find a Jewish husband and settle down would disappoint my Bubby (Yiddish word for grandmother).

Most people recognize generational political divides exist—polls and voting outcomes make that clear. Younger generations overwhelmingly support climate action, progressive social policies, and multiculturalism, while older voters often prioritize economic conservatism, tradition, and national security. These differences are statistical and even expected. But when those gaps become deeply personal—when your values and choices actively challenge the beliefs of the people who raised you—it doesn’t feel like a political divide anymore. It feels like betrayal and subsequent feelings of guilt.

Feeling guilt means you’re doing something right. It means you’re breaking out of an echo chamber, where everything you know is simply the information you’ve always been told.

Continued online at www.queensjournal.ca

Aya Alhasany Assistant News Editor

PHOTO BY NELSON CHEN

ILLUSTRATION BY ELLA THOMAS

Allie Moustakis & Skylar Soroka Editors in Chief

We need to start treating sexual violence like drunk driving

The narrative surrounding sexual violence is as important as policies on it

Maeve Stemp Contributor

This article discusses sexual violence and may be triggering for some readers. The Journal uses “survivor” to refer to those who have experienced sexual assault. We acknowledge this term is not universal.

The Kingston Sexual Assault Centre’s 24-hour crisis and support phone line can be reached at 613-544-6424 / 1-800-544-6424. For on campus support, e-mail bjl7@queensu.ca.

My grandfather etched the phrase “there’s no such thing as an accident—you were either careless, or you did it on purpose” into my moral compass from a young age. It didn’t matter if I hadn’t meant to break my grandmother’s china, I hadn’t held the plate with both hands. The outcome was the same as if I had meant to break it—the plate was gone.

"There’s no such thing as an accident—you were either careless, or you did it on purpose

When we define an accident based on intent, we prioritize the perpetrator’s intentions over the lived reality of the survivor. Consider other crimes: if you unintentionally kill someone, it’s involuntary manslaughter. If you drive under the influence—even without hitting anyone—you can face up to 10 years in prison in Canada. A lack of intent doesn't undo the outcome. The same should be true of sexual violence, and this principle should be reflected in both Queen’s policy and the way we talk about it.

In eight out of 10 cases of sexual assault, the perpetrator is someone known to the survivor.

The myth of the man lurking in a dark alleyway masks an even more unsettling truth: sexual assaults are most often committed by those in close proximity to the survivor. Cases like that of Gisèle Pelicott serve as grim reminders of this reality.

The reality of rape culture is further made ambivalent by the idea that sexual assault can happen involuntarily, or by “accident.” Nationally, at least half of all sexual assault crimes involve alcohol.

According to a 2022 survey by the Queen’s Shift Project, 59 per cent of respondents reported being taken advantage of while incapacitated, 44 per cent said the perpetrator had consumed alcohol but was not drunk, and 33 per cent said the perpetrator was intoxicated. Yet, despite this reality, Queen’s policy doesn't address whether a perpetrator’s

intoxication can be used as a defense.

"In eight out of 10 cases of sexual assault, the perpetrator is someone known to the survivor

The Criminal Code of Canada is clear: it’s not a defense against sexual violence that the perpetrator was drunk or unaware of whether the survivor could consent. This provision is explicitly included in the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response policies at the University of Toronto, the University of Ottawa, and the University of British Columbia. At Queen’s, however, this clause is notably absent—meaning the University has no official stance on whether a perpetrator’s intoxication can be used to mitigate responsibility.

The next time you sit in a lecture, look around. Statistically, at least a quarter of the students in that room will experience some form of sexual violence by the time they graduate. If you’re in a class of 100 students, that means 25 of them. For at least half, alcohol will be involved. At Queen’s, university policy shapes the protections afforded to these survivors.

Rape culture has long placed the burden of guilt on survivors—even in the language we use to describe it. Consider the common statistic: “One in four women in North America will be

sexually assaulted in their lifetime.”

This is a passive sentence, with no subject.

Meanwhile, media headlines never say: “One in X men commit sexual violence in their lifetime.” That would be an active sentence. When we refuse to name the perpetrator, we erase them from the narrative, leaving the survivor in syntactical limbo—brutalized by an invisible subject.

We need to start treating sexual assault like drunk driving. There are no accidents, there’s a subject to the verb.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada reports the number of drunk drivers arrested a year, not just the number of victims. Headlines about drunk driving are almost always active: “Man kills four in drunk driving accident.” Crucially, in drunk driving discourse, the survivor is never blamed.

The perpetrator is unequivocally condemned. Society understands that drunk driving is unacceptable, and we’ve normalized taking steps to prevent it—both through policy and through how we discuss it.

In general, people don’t drive to places when they know they will be drinking. They download Uber. They identify a designated driver. People who even suggest driving while under the influence are identified as being reckless and dangerous.

MADD comes to visit our high schools, and even elementary schools, every year to remind us of the dangers of drunk driving. To teach us not to

be a perpertrator.

We don’t teach people how to avoid being victims of drunk driving, rather we teach them not to drive drunk, because it's understood that only a perpetrator makes a choice. The subject of the verb assault is the perpetrator, not the survivor. The same level of prevention and accountability should apply to sexual violence. A perpetrator’s intoxication doesn’t lessen a survivor’s pain. It shouldn’t absolve them of responsibility either.

"We don’t teach people how to avoid being victims of drunk driving, rather we teach them not to drive drunk, because it's understood that only a perpetrator makes a choice

The idea of an “accident” only holds if we are willing to prioritize an invisible perpetrator over a very real survivor. Until Queen’s amends its policy, it sends a clear message: the university values the comfort of perpetrators over the safety of survivors.

Maeve Stemp is a fifth-year Concurrent Education student . Have an opinion you want to share? E-mail journal_letters@ams.queensu.ca

Queen’s policy should put the onus on the perpetrator, not the survivor.

PHOTO BY NELSON CHEN

Clark Hall Pub builds careers and community

Clark pours opportunity, community, and tradition into life at Queen’s

Jaya Sigurdon Business, Science, & Technology Editor

As a student-run service, Clark Hall Pub pours pints for community, not profit.

Rich in Turbo and tradition, Clark Hall Pub takes the title of Canada’s oldest student-run pub. More than a social student hub, involvement with Clark stands to offer students the opportunity to develop skills in management, business, and networking.

Under its operations portfolio, the Engineering Society (EngSoc) manages several services, with Clark being the second-largest behind The Tea Room. When the pub opened in 1971, it only hosted engineering students. After closing in 2007 due to financial discrepancies and concerns around the Pub’s liquor license, the pub re-opened in 2008, ushering in a new partnership between EngSoc and the Commerce Society. This collaboration eventually paved the way for the pub to become more inclusive, attracting students from all faculties.

Despite Clark’s integration of students from all walks of campus, since Clark is an EngSoc service, their hiring policy states job candidates must be Society members.

According to Lily Stock, Sci ’25, and EngSoc’s vice-president (operations), there are currently 30 staff working under four managers at Clark.

According to Stock, the Society doesn’t take profits from the pub. Instead, Clark

pays a fee to EngSoc to recuperate incurred costs, she told The Journal in a statement.

According to Sam Shaw, Sci ’26 and Clark’s business manager, she works alongside Stock to assess and ensure financial stability of the pub on a monthly basis.

and sponsorships when companies sponsor ritual or events,” Shaw said.

Considering Clark’s preparedness in financial setbacks and consistency in hosting student-catered events such as Ritual every Friday, finances and clientele turnout at Clark

“Prices are set to cover the costs of goods but not make significant profit,” Shaw wrote in a statement to The Journal

“We create a budget each year that aims to keep costs low without losing money,” Stock said.

According to Shaw, financial setbacks at the pub—including a recently purchased new fridge—are primarily paid for using a contingency fund, which is filled using revenue from Clark’s events.

“We earn revenue from beverages, our most popular being Turbo, Clark merchandise, ticketed live music events,

stands strong.

“We have seen an increase [in business] since COVID-19 and with the increase in students,” Stock said.

Beyond engrained social traditions, Clark provides students opportunities to get involved with their operations and gain valuable professional experience for future endeavours after leaving Queen’s.

Networking is widely regarded to be fundamental for success. Stock says Clark frequently hosts networking events across different industries.

Professional opportunities at Clark extend

beyond jobs at EngSoc.

Established in 1936, Student Constables (StuCons) operate under the AMS and—among other roles—have a somewhat symbiotic working relationship with Clark Hall Pub.

“Anytime there’s an event at Clark, there’s always StuCons required there for security,” Noah Hill, StuCons head manager said in an interview with The Journal.

“We [StuCons] rely on them [Clark Hall Pub] as our number one client postCOVID and they rely on us so that they can conduct their business,” AMS Vice-President (Operations) Ayan Chowdury said in an interview with The Journal.

Beyond pouring pints and hosting beloved events, Clark’s business operations elicit economic impacts seen beyond Queen’s campus.

“Our biggest impact on a Kingston business is with Gino’s Pizza, from whom we order over 25 pizzas each week. During our patio events, we also outsource to other local businesses such as Kingston Party Rentals for outdoor furniture,” Shaw said.

Not only do building these relationships benefit the greater Kingston community, but strong business connections open doors for future collaborations and work to build the strength of both parties involved.

In the next five years, Shaw says Clark’s goals are to maintain accessibility, continue diligent accounting processes, and keep prices affordable for students. StuCons on the other hand, will be continuing their work with anti-racism training and honing their brand perception via surveys.

When asked, neither Shaw nor Stock divulged financial numbers pertaining to the earnings of Clark due to confidentiality.

Kingston secures $3.4 million federal investment for local businesses

Investment is set to boost Kingston’s health and life sciences business sector

Meghrig Milkon Senior News Editor

Over 250 local Kingston businesses in Kingston and the Prescott-Russell county are set to benefit from new federal funding.

In a Feb. 19 news release, the Honourable Ruby Sahota, the minister responsible for Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, announced a $3.4 million investment for the Kingston Economic Development Corporation (KEDC) to put in place the supports and critical assets life sciences companies need as they commercialize.

KEDC, established as a separately incorporated not-for-profit agency, will receive $3.4 million to launch the Kingston Life Sciences and Helix Funding initiatives, with grants ranging from $10,000 to $250,000 over the next three years.

According to Ben McIlquham, KEDC’s investment manager of health innovation, an estimated $500,000 per year will be spent on the validation network.

In an interview with The Journal, McIlquham explained some of the organizations within the validation network include around 20 companies and organizations specializing in supporting the health and life sciences spheres, including Queen’s organizations like the Faculty of Health Sciences, Research Discovery Network, and Centre for Advanced Computing. The funding will create a

1,300-square-foot wet lab at Providence Care, designed for pre-clinical research. The lab will meet biosafety level two standards, suitable for studying moderate-risk infectious agents or toxins that pose a risk if inhaled, swallowed, or exposed to the skin. This initiative aims to address a long-standing gap in Kingston, where smaller companies and startups often struggle to a ccess affordable lab space, according to McIlquham.

In a statement to The Journal, Allison Philpot, Providence Care’s vice-president system innovation and executive director medical affairs and research, explained how the closest wet labs are in larger cities like Toronto and Ottawa, making it difficult for local startups and researchers to develop and test new medical technologies.

“This $3.4 million investment into Kingston’s life sciences sector marks a significant step forward for Providence  Care  and the entire region. As part of this investment, Providence  Care  Hospital will be able to establish a wet lab, creating a much-needed space for health science research and innovation—right here in Kingston,” Philpot said.

The investment, according to McIlquham, aligns with both federal and provincial life science strategies, including the “Taking Life Sciences to the Next Level” strategy and Canada’s “Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy.”

The project’s success will be measured through several key performance indicators including supporting 106 businesses over three years and generating at least five new intellectual properties or licenses, providing mentorship and training for over 25 companies, and

helping more than 30 organizations bring at least three new companies from lab to market.

“I would say the biggest thing about this project was just the number of collaborators that wanted to participate on this was, you know, really eat […] it’s great to see people coming together and wanting to support [each other],” McIlquham said.

As Kingston continues to position itself as a hub for health and life sciences innovation, this investment marks a significant step toward fostering economic growth and technological advancement in the region.

Clark Hall Pub is an EngSoc cornerstone.

PHOTO BY NELSON CHEN

Women’s Volleyball goes down in heartbreaker

Head Coach

Shanice Marcelle looks forward to future successes after early playoff exit to Varsity Blues

Aidan Michaelov Senior Sports Editor

Queen’s Women’s Volleyball suffered a heartbreaking loss in round one of the OUA playoffs on Feb. 21, when they fell to the University of Toronto (U of T) Varsity Blues in five sets.

After dropping the first two sets, Queen’s was forced to play catch-up, ultimately losing the fifth and final set 15-6 against the eighth-seeded Varsity Blues.

The Gaels finished first in the OUA and were among the top-ranked teams in all of U SPORTS, boasting an impressive 17-3 record.

Throughout the regular season, Queen’s dominated the Varsity Blues, winning both matchups in straight sets at the ARC on

Nov. 29 and 30.

To add insult to injury, for players like Hannah Duchesneau, ArtSci ’25, Mary Stewart, ConEd ’25, Charley Baker, ArtSci ’25, and Amanda Siksna, ConEd ’25, this marked their final time suiting up in the Tri-Colour.

Head Coach of the Women’s Volleyball team, Shanice Marcelle, sat down with The Journal to discuss the loss and her first season as a Gael.

While Marcelle has rarely lost throughout her career, being a five-time CIS champion with the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds and a two-time Bundesliga champion in Germany, she took the loss with humility and grace.

“The first big thing would just be a big kudos to Toronto. I think they played their butts off. They had a really phenomenal game defensively which made it a really difficult game for us,”

Marcelle said.

Playing from behind is no small task, no matter the sport or stakes, and while Marcelle noted there were no surprises when it came to playing the Varsity Blues, she understands the importance of

being able to adapt on the fly.

“We really struggled to make adaptations that we would have expected and it was just a really slow burn for us. I don’t think we showed up until the third set of the match, and by then it was just a little bit too late,” she said.

In terms of adjustments that Marcelle will be focusing on for future seasons, she mentioned her main priority is offense.

“Being just a little more creative in our offense when we’re not in perfect situations. I think we were a little predictable in our offense against Toronto in that match, especially when we were out of our system, or if everyone knew the ball was going to the left side, I think our attackers didn’t take enough risks.”

Despite the heartbreaking loss, there’s still a lot for Marcelle and the rest of the Women’s Volleyball team to be proud of. They were among the top-ranked teams in the nation throughout the regular season, and the Women’s team has a bright future to look toward.

Continued online at www.queensjournal.ca

Early playoff Exit won’t dEfinE GaEls’ rEsiliEnt sEason

Head Coach of Women’s Basketball sits down with ‘The Journal’ to talk past, present, and future of the program

Aidan

Michaelov Senior Sports Editor

The Queen’s Women’s Basketball team faced significant adversity on their road to the OUA playoffs this season.

With nearly their entire starting five having graduated at the end of last season and multiple injuries throughout the year, the Gaels’ winning season was a remarkable testament to the strength of the Women’s Basketball program.

By no means were the Gaels expected to defeat the Gee-Gees, who finished second overall in the division and had already beaten Queen’s twice this season—53-60 on Jan. 31 and 57-63 on Feb. 15.

Although the Gaels fought hard, they ultimately fell to the GeeGees once more, losing 52-71 in Ottawa on Feb. 22, ending their season in the quarterfinals. This marked a significant step back from their provincial finals berth last season.

However, considering the team had to say goodbye to nearly their entire starting five, a winning regular-season record and a third-place divisional finish are achievements to be proud of.

With no graduating players, this season should serve as a warning to every team in the nation: Queen’s is coming.

Men’s Hockey turn up the heat, securing Game one of OUA quarterfinals

Gaels defeat Gee-Gees 4-2 in game one of OUA quarterfinals

Aidan Michaelov Senior Sports Editor

The cold weather didn’t stop the Gaels from heating up in their first playoff game of the season.

Men’s Hockey opened their playoff campaign on Feb. 26 at the Memorial Centre where they beat the Ottawa Gee-Gees 4-3 in Game one of a best-of-three OUA quarterfinal series.

The Gee-Gees sat just behind the Gaels in third place, going 19-9 through the regular season. The two teams split their season series, with Queen’s winning 4-2 on Oct. 27 and losing 1-5 on Nov. 1.

The first half of the opening period was tightly contested, with the Gaels controlling much of the play. However, a bouncing puck in front of the net took an awkward deflection, launching skyward and catching Queen’s goaltender Christian Purboo, ArtSci ’25, off guard before finding its way into the back of the net.

For the remainder of the first period and much of the second, Purboo stood tall, stopping 30 shots en route to the Gaels’ victory. While Queen’s effectively spread the ice and generated multiple dangerous

scoring chances, they couldn’t break through until the Gee-Gees doubled their lead midway through the second period.

Recognizing the urgency of closing the gap in Game one of the OUA playoffs, forward Holden Katzalay, ArtSci ’25, responded just two minutes later, rifling a short-side snipe past the Ottawa goaltender on the power play.

The Gaels continued to press, and their relentless pressure wore down Ottawa’s goalie. A misplayed pass from Ethan Larmand, ArtSci ’28, trickled across the goal line, tying the game at 2-2 with five minutes left in the second period.

From there, Queen’s didn’t let up. Purboo’s steady goaltending provided the team with muchneeded stability, allowing the Gaels to focus on taking the lead in the third period.

Forward Daniel Michaud, ArtSci ’27, put Queen’s ahead just five minutes into the final frame, and shortly after, Cameron Tolnai, Comm ’27, doubled the Gaels’ lead, making it 4-2 with under 15 minutes to play.

Though the Gee-Gees managed to score once more, they couldn’t match Queen’s intensity, securing the Game one victory for the Gaels. Queen’s will look to close out the series on Feb. 28 in Ottawa at 7 p.m., aiming to put the Gee-Gees on ice in their home rink.

Women’s Hockey fall to Lakers in Game one of OUA playoffs

Queen’s lose 5-2 against Nipissing at home

Claire Meadows, head coach of the Women’s Basketball team, sat down with The Journal to reflect on their playoff loss to one of the top-ranked teams in the nation.

“Our program went through a remarkable amount of adversity this year, through injuries and other personal matters, you know, there were a couple of games leading into playoffs where we had six to seven players dressed, and then our final playoff game, we had eight players dressed. So, all things considered, I think we got the absolute most out of the season,” Meadows said.

A season filled with obstacles also brought valuable lessons, according to Meadows.

Continued online at www.queensjournal.ca

Aidan Michaelov Senior Sports Editor

The Gaels seemed flat-footed in an empty Memorial Centre Arena as they dropped the first game of their quarterfinal matchup.

The first round of the OUA hockey playoffs commenced on Feb. 26 at the Memorial Centre in Kingston, Ont. where the Women’s Hockey team lost against the Nipissing Lakers 5-2.

The Gaels struggled against Nipissing throughout the regular season, having been outscored 9-2 across both matchups.

Despite their previous struggles, Queen’s showed promise in the opening period, out-pressuring the Lakers and defending their net well. With just under five minutes remaining in the first, forward Mikayla Cranney,

ArtSci ’27, skated past a Nipissing defender, deked the goaltender, and buried a highlight-reel goal to put the Gaels up 1-0.

Goaltender Emma Tennant, Sci ’26, stood tall under heavy pressure for the remainder of the first period. However, defensive breakdowns plagued Queen’s, as second-chance opportunities allowed the Lakers to equalize early in the second.

While the Gaels drew multiple penalties—earning four minutes of consecutive power-play time— Nipissing’s strong penalty kill shut them down. The Lakers then capitalized on a costly Queen’s turnover, taking a 2-1 lead midway through the second period.

A defensive lapse in the Gaels’ zone allowed Nipissing to set up a point shot, which was deflected past Tennant, extending the Lakers’ lead to 3-1 just before the second intermission.

Continued online at www.queensjournal.ca

JOURNAL FILE PHOTO

Shanice Marcelle has her eyes set forward after Queens’ playoff shortcomings.

Coach Meadows isn’t discouraged by the Gaels early playoff exit.

JOURNAL FILE PHOTO

Horoscopes: Who’s in your orbit?

The Psychic scholar Staff Writer

Let’s be honest—we all have a habit of flipping straight to our own horoscope in The Journal for cosmic validation (or warning) before promptly ignoring the rest. But this issue’s zodiac predictions deserve a closer read because the universe isn’t just messing with you—it’s got plans for everyone else, too.

From unexpected confrontations to steamy new romances, certain signs are about to crash into your orbit, for better or worse. So, who should you keep an eye on? And more importantly, who’s keeping tabs on you? The stars have spoken—read on before Mercury retrogrades your life into chaos.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21)

Sagittarius, you may not see this coming, but a certain Virgo is about to steal your heart. Their quiet confidence and sharp mind have you completely hooked, and suddenly, commitment doesn’t seem so scary! This love might move slower than you’re used to, but trust me—once it catches fire, it’ll be unstoppable.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19)

Capricorn, an unexpected Sagittarius is about to crash into your life, and even though that sounds scary—you won’t mind! Their wild energy s hakes up your steady world, while your grounded nature keeps them from flying off the rails. It’s the perfect balance of adventure and stability, and this friendship will be built to last.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18)

Aquarius, prepare for an awkward encounter with a certain Capricorn you’ve been avoiding. Whether it’s a past misunderstanding,

unresolved tension, or just bad timing, the vibe is going to be off. Play it cool, keep the small talk light, and whatever you do—don’t overthink it. This moment will pass, even if the cringe lingers.

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20)

Stay alert, Pisces. An enraged Gemini has their eye on you and is preparing for a confrontation in the near future. Tensions might rise, but don’t let their energy shake you. Keep your composure, respond with grace, and this storm will pass sooner than you think.

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

Aries, if you’re eyeing a cute Leo in your tutorial, it’s time to turn up the charm! They love confidence, so strut in like you own the place and drop a compliment that’ll make them glow. Play it bold, keep it flirty, and you just might have them purring in no time.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

Taurus, if you’ve been trying to steer clear of a Cancer, you might need to stay on your toes a little longer. They’re sensing the distance and may try to pull you back into a conversation you’re not ready for. Trust your instincts—set boundaries if needed but handle it with care to avoid unnecessary drama.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

Gemini, get ready—an Aries in your life is about to become your new partner-in-crime.

The two of you are a dynamic duo in the making, full of energy, laughs, and maybe a little chaos. Whether it’s deep talks or spontaneous adventures, this bond is only getting stronger. Fasten your seatbelt!

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

Cancer, brace yourself— things with a certain Pisces might get a little rocky. Emotions are running high, and a misunderstanding could spark a bigger fallout than expected. Try to keep a level head and communicate honestly, but if the waves get too rough, it might be best to step back and let the tide settle.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22)

Make your bed, Leo—an affair with a Libra is about to be pure fire. The chemistry

is intoxicating, the glances linger a little too long, and every touch leaves you wanting more. Passion like this doesn’t play by the rules, so give in to the heat— but be warned, when desire burns this hot, someone’s bound to get scorched.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22)

Virgo, a certain Taurus is about to become your ultimate study buddy. Their steady determination complements your sharp precision, making you an unstoppable duo. Whether it’s tackling daunting midterms or exchanging brilliant ideas, this partnership is built for success. Stay open, trust the process, and watch the magic—and A+’s—unfold.

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22) Libra, things are about to get tense with a Scorpio pal, and this clash won’t be easily smoothed over. Their intensity meets your charm in a battle of wills, and neither of you will back down easily. Choose your words carefully—this could either be a power struggle or a chance to clear the air for good.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21) Scorpio, secrets don’t stay buried forever, and an Aquarius might soon find out that you haven’t been entirely honest with them. Whether it’s a slip of the tongue or a calculated move, this betrayal could shake things up more than you expect. Think carefully—once trust is broken, there’s no going back.

ARTS &CULTURE

Blunt Force Llama brings funk and fans along for the ride

Just because they play covers doesn’t make them less original

Madison Taylor Senior Arts & Culture Editor

Blunt Force Llama are hitting their stride, with groove in every step.

Blunt Force Llama, the band that’s known for bringing the funk to Queen’s scene, is set to play The Buckle on Feb. 28, raising money for charity alongside their musical peers, not against them. At the aptly named “Rockters Without Borders” event, Blunt Force Llama will share the bill with Michael Zuzek, ArtSci ’25, RevZed, and Jinx, as they come together to raise money for Queen’s Friends of MSF, Médecins Sans Frontières. Ticket sales and a portion of drinks sales go towards supporting the charity.

With vocalist Eleanor Guy, ArtSci ’27; Andy Ganea, HealthSci ’26, on keys; Vardan Deroché, HealthSci ’26, on bass; Ronin Offman, HealthSci ’26, playing guitar; and Maxwell He, HealthSci ’26 on drums, Blunt Force Llama has been keeping audiences on their feet since 2023. Though the group’s members have changed over time, their commitment and passion for playing together hasn’t waned, with Offman describing their collaboration as a “good dynamic.”

Friday night’s show offers an opportunity for the bands involved to come together to collaborate, rather than compete, something Blunt Force Llama is excited for.

“I feel like there’s lot of competition against student bands. For some reason, we’re really pitted against each other and there’s really no reason for that. We’re all trying to do the same thing, we’re all trying to be musicians just doing this for fun, so I’m excited for the opportunity to be alongside Jinx and RevZed and not have our art

be pitted against each other,” Guy said in an interview with The Journal.

“It’s nice to work collaboratively with the other bands,” she added.

The charity element is also one the band is enthusiastic about, with Offman a member of Queen’s Friends of MSF’s executive team as an events coordinator. Despite the close connection with the cause this time around, it isn’t the first time Blunt Force Llama has supported charity through their music. Their involvement in Project Red, Vogue Charity Fashion Show, Relay for Life, and more, displays their commitment to community.

“This is for charity, there’s no egos

here. We’re raising money for Doctors Without Borders humanitarian aid, and it’s a great cause. Ticket sales and a portion of the drink sales, thanks to the buckle—they’re very generous—are going towards the cause. So, we’re really excited to be a part of that,” Offman shared.

This dedication to community is also seen in the way the band plays, always putting the audience first. With five different schedules, coordinating rehearsals can be tricky, resulting in many late nights. But perfecting their instrumentation is something Blunt Force Llama takes seriously, and has become integral to their values as a band.

With a sound that leans into funk,

they take inspiration from the likes of Michael Jackson and Silk Sonic, adding their own twist on familiar favourites. Blunt Force Llama keeps things interesting through not only what they play, but how they play it.

“We also really, I think, pride ourselves for coming up with interesting renditions of songs, like even if it’s a pop song we’ll put a funk twist on it, or we’ll just do it in our own way and do something original,” Guy said.

Unlike some of their peers, the band prefers to play covers, an intentional decision to keep audiences engaged, and involved.

“I think we put audience participation really at the forefront of our set,” she added.

Though the band doesn’t play original songs, their ingenuity shines through in other ways.

“I feel like we get our creative kick out of shaping the song in our unique way. Even crafting the setlist is a creative outlet for us. So that’s a sort of endeavour that gives us that fulfillment creatively,” Offman said.

The band is going from strength to strength, with their community connections extending to the wider music community. Blunt Force Llama is opening for Toronto band A Short Walk to Pluto on March 15 at The Mansion and recently secured a coveted spot on the Alepalooza lineup on March 27.

Keeping their momentum going, the band has high hopes for the future, even if the summer sends them different ways.

“We’re just a mega bus away,” Offman joked, but their commitment to music, and each other is serious.

Blunt Force Llama is set to play at The Buckle on Feb. 28.

DAN Winter Major ‘Love and Information’ brings the internet to the stage

Play hopes to blur the lines between technology and the theatre

Cloey Aconley

Assistant Arts & Culture Editor

Love and Information promises to be fast, unpredictable, and impossible to ignore.

Notable playwright Caryl Churchill’s career-defining Love and Information is this year’s pick for the DAN School Winter Major, a play directed by faculty and students. This year’s show, directed by Assistant Professor Michael Wheeler, is a unique interpretation of Churchill’s 2012 script, expanding on the role of the internet in shaping the audience experience of the play, and the world. Running from March 5 to 16 at the Power Corporation of Canada Studio Theatre, Love and Information offers a thought-provoking look at the

internet and its influence on modern culture.

The play includes important aspects of the internet today, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). Set designer Brian Frommer, ArtSci ’99, consulted AI in the creation of the set, hoping to include input from the subject he was trying to reflect.

“Usually in my design process, I always start with a paper and pencil and just kind of let my hand flow, let my brain flow, but in this case, I thought, well, why not start with AI?” Frommer said in an interview with The Journal.

The play is intended to highlight the impact of the internet on the way we communicate and process information. When the audience buys a ticket, they’re prompted by a virtual host to answer a few questions that determine the order of the scenes, emphasizing the participatory nature of the internet, and the personalization of a social media

algorithm. The host resurfaces in the show as one of the guiding forces of the play.

“The idea of it being a different order, each performance that’s decided by the audience is an entirely new concept,” Naomi Koven, ArtSci ’25, assistant set designer, said.

Each scene in the play is short, and completely unconnected from the one before, designed to reflect the rapidly changing social media landscape.

“The 52 scenes just fly by, you feel like you’re scrolling through an algorithmic social media and so the theatre has become like social media or social media is being reflected in the theatre,” Assistant Director Iulia Rus, ConEd’ 25, said.

Told in the centre of the theatre, as opposed to a traditional forward orientation, the innovative set design is intended to have audiences feeling like they’re inside a computer.

“I want the audience to

play runs from March 5 to 16.

walk into the room and feel like they just stepped into the inside of the computer, but I don’t mean the screen of the computer, I mean like the brain of the computer. Like they stepped into this hub of information that just surrounds them on all sides, and sort of feel that in their senses,” Koven said.

By catering to the brief attention spans of an audience in the digital age, each scene is only 50 seconds to three minutes. The team behind Love and Information hopes to inspire questions about the impact of the internet long after the final curtain has been drawn.

“It’s coming at you fast and furious, and you can’t really catch up until you’ve had some time to walk away and think about it, and

previously challenged book in Canada and the United States is Jacob’s New Dress (2014), a heartwarming story about a young boy wearing a dress to school. Jacob’s New Dress was challenged by parental groups and school districts on the grounds of being a tool of indoctrination normalizing transgender behaviour.

“This is a book I’m thrilled to defend, you know, I want this in our collection, I believe in its values,” Liz Coates, manager of programming and marketing at the KFPL shared.

It’s challenges towards books like Jacobs’s New Dress that contribute to the systemic erasure of entire communities.

The suppression of these voices can take the form of complaints against libraries, thievery or vandalism of library materials, and organized efforts to discredit books on social media.

I think that’s really the ultimate thing is that we want this to linger,” Frommer shared.

The show hopes to convey that society doesn’t know if the internet is good or bad, but we must accept the natural evolution of technology. The internet is rapidly advancing, irrespective of if social attitudes have caught up.

“There’s not really anything we can do to stop it, so we might as well find a way to deal because there’s no real alternative,” Frommer said.

By embracing the evolution of the internet, Love and Information takes the notion of rapid change and evolution head-on. The unique and innovative approach taken sets

this year’s Winter Major apart from previous shows, and traditional theatre more broadly.

“It’s a very unique technical challenge that we’re doing, and I think at the end of the day it’s going to be very enjoyable,” Rus said.

the KFPL Drag Queen Storytime, where a drag queen will showcase books to a younger audience, entrenching values of acceptance and inclusion in the next generation.

Barring hate speech, the KFPL hopes to ensure all forms of media are available to the community, leaving it up to parents and families to decide what’s age-appropriate for their children.

Kingston celebrates equal access to information in the fight against censorship

Cloey Aconley

Assistant Arts & Culture Editor

No book should be silenced, and the Kingston Frontenac Public Library (KFPL) is making sure of it.

KFPL is celebrating Freedom to Read Week from Feb. 23 to March 1. In 1984, Freedom to Read Week started as an annual opportunity for libraries to showcase their commitment to freedom of information. This

year, KFPL is teaming up with Queen’s University Libraries, St. Lawrence College Libraries, and Massey Library to host a Read-a-Thon on Feb. 28.

The Read-a-Thon, hosted at the Central Branch, will showcase community leaders and local politicians, Mayor Bryan Paterson, as they read short excerpts from previously banned books. The library is also hosting a banned books challenge, where readers of all ages are encouraged to read previously banned books while earning badges and entering giveaways.

Libraries play an essential role in promoting freedom of information in the community.

“It’s one of those values in

terms of intellectual freedom that’s foundational to the library itself,” Laura Carter, MBA ’13, chief librarian and executive officer said in an interview with The Journal.

Access to information is critical to upholding an accurate representation of the diverse Kingston community, with libraries playing a critical role in ensuring books and literature are available from every perspective.

Censorship isn’t always obvious. Through complaints about curriculum, library collections, and local events, there’s a risk of erasing the perspectives of various historically underrepresented groups.

An example of a

For both Carter and Coates, it’s important for children, and anyone, to receive an accurate reflection of the world when they engage with literature.

“It’s crucial in terms of people’s development and identities in order to see themselves reflected in the literature,” Carter said.

The KFPL’s commitment to freedom of information comes from their core values of joy and acceptance, focusing on engaging with the community in all its forms. Libraries are for the entire community, and the KFPL programming strives to reflect that.

One initiative seeking to promote diverse voices is

With debates over freedom of expression and access to information unfolding south of the border, it’s crucial not to overlook similar challenges happening right here at home. Canada—and even Kingston—has been at the centre of these discussions. In Toronto, protests against drag queen story times have gained momentum, and in September of 2023, Kingston itself hosted the 1 Million March for Children, a demonstration opposing 2SLGBTQ+ education in schools. These events make it clear Canada isn’t immune to the very criticisms we often direct at our neighbours.

The KFPL’s commitment to intellectual freedom serves as a reminder that access to diverse stories and perspectives is essential for a thriving, i nclusive community. The library hopes the community buys into the messages being promoted this Freedom to Read Week and continues to uphold the value of equal access to information.

The

IMAGE SUPPLIED BY NATHAN ZHE

Freedom to Read Week is being celebrated across Canada from Feb. 23 to March 1.

PHOTO BY NELSON CHEN

My Barbie Dream House lost to years of war

Meghrig Milkon Senior News Editor

I will never get my Barbie dolls back.

When I first opened my eyes to the world in Aleppo, Syria, I was met with a compassionate dad, a loving and intellectual mom, and a bossy older sister. My life was ordinary—running around our second-floor apartment, playing dress-up with my Barbie dolls—until the day terrorists appeared just around the corner of our home.

It was 2012. My brother had just been born, and the opposition had planted themselves across from our apartment building like a storm waiting to break. I didn’t understand the danger, the weight of what was coming—because I didn’t have to. The warmth of my dad’s embrace, the steadiness of my mom’s voice, and the quiet strength of my sister built a shield around me.

“From that day on, we never slept in peace

From that day on, we never slept in peace. Every hour, every minute was filled with the sounds of explosions and bullets soaring through the air. I’m sure even the birds had to find shelter. We often went months without electricity or heating, burning papers, books, and whatever else

How living in a warzone taught me the true meaning of home

my parents could find to keep us warm.

I vaguely recall my mom, sister, and grandma waiting in line for a piece of bread, knowing there was a chance they would come home empty-handed. But still, they braved the cold and stood strong.

“I wish I had known how much grief I would carry for what was taken from my family

After countless backand-forths and threats from terrorists, my parents made the heartbreaking decision to leave the home they’d built. I wish we had known when leaving, it would be the last time we would ever see my childhood home. I wish it had come with a warning.

I wish I had known how much grief I would carry for what was taken from my family. But there was no warning—only the leaving. Our home had been stitched together with my parents’ love, their unwavering resilience, and the quiet weight of their sacrifices. It was filled with the warmth of my mom’s home-cooked meals, the laughter of her students, and the towering presence of my dad’s library—shelves upon shelves of stories that shaped me.

Then there was my room—our room—where my

sister, Lousin, and I whispered into the night, where I clung to her hand when I was afraid, where we played with our dolls and got ready for school together. A room that I now barely remember, and the thought of not remembering what we shared makes my stomach turn. Lousin, I’m sorry that was taken from us.

To my mom and dad—I’m sorry for the books you had to leave behind, for the pages you had to burn just to keep your two daughters and newborn son warm when there was no electricity. Just to make us believe, if only for a moment, that everything was okay. I promise, we believed you.

But despite leaving behind my room with my sister, the bookshelf that had been my playground, and the life we built amid the echoes of explosions—even after my dad and grandfather were kidnapped—I never lost hope.

I always knew I’d find my way back home, convinced life couldn’t be so cruel. But oh, how naïve I was.

In a strange and unfamiliar house, which we moved to for safety, my dad received a phone call. Our family home had been destroyed to the point where it was unlivable.

I can’t remember the date or the time of that call, but I do remember the suffocating weight of hopelessness pressing down on me, the world slipping through my fingers. I watched my parents see

their life’s work crumble. For the first time, I saw my dad cry.

In that instant, the hope I had clung to so desperately vanished like smoke.

In that moment, the truth hit me like a cold wind: I would never know the feeling of being home again.

I was wrong—not about the pain of losing my home, but in believing I would never find a home. The more I grow, the more I realize that while I’ll forever hold that devastating grief of losing our apartment, I now understand what made it so special.

“I would never know the feeling of being home again

It was my dad, my mom, my sister, and my younger brother. They were my home. I shouldn’t have been so worried about finding one—I had already been carrying it with me all along.

That truth was reaffirmed in many ways when my family immigrated to Canada in 2019.

“I’ve come to realize home isn’t a place, a building, or the walls that contain us

Home is the people around me—the ones who inspire me, who remind me of who I am and who I want to become. Even though the war scattered my family across different countries, we found our way back to each other, after almost 13 years apart, in the Netherlands this past Christmas—a true Christmas miracle, after once believing we wouldn’t make it out of Aleppo alive.

The moment we stepped off the plane in Amsterdam, I was welcomed with the warm embrace of my grandparents, uncles, and aunts who were waiting for me at the airport—embraces I had missed so dearly. I was home.

Want to write a postscript? E-mail journal_postscript@ams.queensu.ca

I’ve come to realize home isn’t a place, a building, or the walls that contain us. It isn’t the furniture we arrange or the childhood toys we leave behind. It’s far less tangible—it’s the moments that make me feel safe. It’s the nights when my partner stays up with me, our conversations stretching until dawn. It’s the books I read, the same ones my dad casually mentions in a conversation. It’s the quiet afternoons spent with my mom and my sister, where words aren’t needed. It’s seeing my little brother grow and shape his personality.