pp.4. Report details hostile campus culture towards Muslim, Middle Eastern, and North African Students at the U of O
ARTS
pp.8. Soundtrack to a Coup d’État is a vital reminder of the role art plays in neocolonial history
pp.9. Roots and Routes: U of O Black Excellence Gala showcases culture, art, and legacy
SPORTS
pp.12. Natsuki Szczokin prepares for one final playoff run in garnet and grey pp.16. Best on best hockey, you’ve been missed
SCIENCES
pp.18. Digital Literacy– coming to a screen near you in September 2025
FEATURES
pp.20. To co-op or not to co-op?
OPINIONS
pp.24. Hello?! Why can’t anyone hear me?
pp.26. The (Formerly) Unwritten Guide to Morisset Library Etiquette is here
photo: Pavel Nangfack/fulcrum
Black History Month at the U of O
Here is what is going on around campus this Black History Month
Elyse Barker
Ottawa is set to come alive this February with vibrant celebrations, dynamic performances, and thought-provoking conversations as the city honours Black History Month.
From captivating theatre productions to energetic dance workshops and educational events, there is something for everyone to enjoy and learn from.
The National Arts Centre
As part of its Black History Month programming, the NAC will also host a Black Out Night Feb. 15, featuring a pre-show chat and a Harlem Renaissance-inspired after-party.
Dance enthusiasts can look forward to Moov Ottawa Dance’s special workshops Feb. 23 at the Bronson Centre.
In collaboration with the NAC, these sessions will spotlight House, Hip Hop, and Afrobeats styles, celebrating the richness of Black street dance culture.
other workshops and activities throughout the month.
Ottawa Tourism highlights even more events, including the rhythmic Steelpan Symphony Show at the NAC from Feb. 27 to March 1, which will immerse audiences in Afro-Caribbean calypso music.
With a diverse lineup of performances, workshops, and educational sessions, Ottawa’s Black History Month promises to be an inspiring and enriching experience for all.
(NAC) will present Controlled Damage a powerful play about civil rights icon Viola Desmond, running from Feb. 13 to 22.
For film lovers, the Ottawa Public Library will screen John Ware Reclaimed on Feb. 22 at the Greenboro branch, alongside
For more details, visit Black History Ottawa and Ottawa Tourism.
This February, celebrate and learn more about Black history. Image: Christine Wang/The Fulcrum
Report details hostile campus culture towards Muslim, Middle
Eastern, and North African Students at the U of O
“Interviewees often expressed that they did not feel different or the need to advocate for their identity until they attended university”
The University of Ottawa Student Union recently conducted a study on the Muslim, Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) student experience on campus. The study, initially proposed as an initiative by the University of Ottawa Students’ Union (UOSU) recently established Multi-Faith Caucus, garnered the interest of U of O administration officials who requested a 1–2 page report summarizing the study’s findings to be submitted by Sept. 25, 2024.
The U of O administration’s request came with the important caveat that the report must not include any mention of the pro-Palestinian encampment which took place from April 29 to July 10, 2024 on Tabaret Lawn.
Despite this, the final fivepage report, submitted internally to the University of Ottawa administration includes a section on the intersectional nature of Anti-Palestinian and Anti-Arab Racism, Islamophobia, and the need for divestment.
A preliminary conversation regarding the report’s findings took place on Dec. 11, three months after the report’s completion, due to the University of Ottawa administration’s repeated cancellation of meetings that were originally set for Oct. 30 and Nov. 13, 2024.
The report organizes the accounts of seven student leaders “representing hundreds of members of the clubs they lead” into five key issue areas which include the imposed politicization of the Arab-Muslim identity, the alienation of Muslim and MENA students from campus communities and events, the management of Multi-Faith Rooms, religious and crisis accommodations provided by the U of O, and finally, anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab racism, Islamophobia, and the need for divestment.
Ostracization and Neglect from the Top-Down
The report, titled Enhancing the Campus Experience of MENA and Muslim Students, specifically identifies the role of staff, faculty, professors and members of the U of O administration in perpetuating an environment hostile towards the identities of Arab and Muslim students.
“Interviewees often expressed that they did not feel different or the need to advocate for their identity until they attended university,” the report states on the issue of the imposed politicization of the Arab-Muslim identity.
“They expressed that it was through the negative remarks and interactions with University of Ottawa’s staff, faculty, professors and administration, that they were placed in positions where they had to defend themselves and their identities.”
In response, the report highlights students’ requests for more education and training to be given to staff and administration to help them better understand the needs and concerns of Arab and Muslim students.
Another concern reflected by the report distinguishes the conduct of professors who discuss or comment on Middle Eastern and North African regions (MENA), expressing that professors need to be better informed about the intersectional and sensitive nature of these issues.
“There’s this perception that we’re dangerous … that we’re trying to cause issues … that we hate women … that we limit the power of women. There’s so many different assumptions that we have to deal with because of the skewed Western perception on who we are,” said Farah Mourad, the UOSU director for the faculty of health sciences.
“As a result, it kind of overshadows the fact that we’re human just like everyone else, and that we have needs just like everyone else, and that we have aspirations just like everyone else.”
The impact of the lack of cross-cultural engagement with Muslim and MENA students is particularly in relation to how professors engage with these topics within classroom discussions.
“We spoke about the media and how it can portray various narratives,” comments Areeba Mallick, the president of the
Azeeza Kagzi
uOttawa Muslim Students Association (UOMSA). “I spoke about Palestine and found the tone shifted very drastically. I kept getting cut off by the teacher who tried to [steer] the conversation in another direction.”
Another factor impeding the cultivation of an inclusive environment for Muslim and MENA students highlighted by the report is the University of Ottawa’s failure to effectively collaborate and implement the requests and recommendations of Muslim and MENA students with whom they have established a dialogue.
“The administration [was]
saying that we didn’t have enough concrete stories and evidence of Islamophobia and anti-Arab racism happening on campus,” shares Mallick. “So we turned to the community and asked them to tell us their experiences … and there were some students who, I think shortly after the pager attack had happened they had someone biking by them who started screaming, ‘you should have been the ones who had pagers,’ like they should have been the ones to be harmed. A lot of times incidents like these aren’t reported to security because of the fact that there hasn’t been much sup-
port given.”
The lack of redress by the U of O administration regarding hate-motivated incidents which take place on campus follows a trend of administrative silence towards issues concerning MENA and Muslim communities such as Palestine and the rise of Islamophobia.
Mallick states that the concern which stems from the University of Ottawa’s negligent stance towards issues concerning Muslim and MENA students is that those motivated to commit hate crimes towards Muslim and MENA students may be reas-
A UOSU report titled Enhancing the Campus Experience of MENA and Muslim Students was shared with U of O administration in the fall. Photo: Hannah Vigneux/Fulcrum Archives
sured that they can get away with it.
“If you say that you are very adamant on combating Islamophobia, say it out loud,” states Mallick. “I reached out multiple times, asking if they would be releasing a statement against Islamophobia. They said they would let me know in 10 days. It’s been three months.”
Despite positive collaborations with the University of Ottawa’s vice president of equity, diversity, and inclusion, Awad Ibrahim, Mallick states that president Jacques Frémont must be willing to condemn Islamophobia. Without the backing of the top members of the University of Ottawa administration, only so much can be done.
The Need for Education, Space, and Follow-Through
The Muslim and MENA student experience on campus does not struggle due to a lack of effort put forth by the students themselves. Instead, the report indicates that student efforts are continuously impeded by the U of O administration and decision-makers.
In March of 2024, mould was discovered growing in between the walls of UCU-107 and 108, designated as Multi-Faith space, revealing that the University of Ottawa had failed to provide any maintenance services that would facilitate the safe upkeep of the room, leaving this task to student volunteers from uOMSA.
“Almost all the initiatives that have been put out in terms of … support services … they’ve all been initiated by students. The burden has always been on stu-
dents in getting things done [but] change has to come from those who actually have decision-making power, such as upper administration,” states Mourad.
The report details the consistent and fundamental role Arab and Muslim students have played in providing space for much-needed community building on campus. From organizing social and cultural events to filling gaps in the education they receive from the University of Ottawa on issues such as the Palestinian occupation and genocide, Arab and Muslim student leaders have risen to the mantle to challenge the imposed politicization of their identities by university administrators, faculty, staff, and professors.
However, the report indicates that the obstacles put forth by the lack of support and dialogue regarding the needs of Arab and Muslim students on the University of Ottawa campus continue to significantly hinder the ability of these students to feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.
Mourad shares that while she would like to be optimistic about how the University of Ottawa will respond to the recommendations and concerns captured within the report, she remains concerned regarding the U of O administration’s willingness to implement the report’s recommendations in good faith. The repeated rescheduling of meetings and the requested censorship of the report’s findings concerning the encampment represent only some of the examples raising concern.
“The statements that they [the University of Ottawa] put out
that were making it seem as if … the people that were involved in the encampment were [representing] something that was hateful … or being territorial, how they handled the encampment, threatening to [call] down police and threatening to have safety officials come on site, how they directly refused to listen, engage, and cooperate [with students], they were outright stonewalling them in the same way that the MSA was treated [with regard to] getting prayer rooms and ablution spaces,” adds Mourad.
The University of Ottawa’s ongoing failure to install an ablution room nearly 10 years after having agreed to do so represents another example informing the concern as to whether the findings of the concerns of Muslim and Arab students on campus will remain unaddressed by the university administration.
Creating space for Muslim and Arab students at the University of Ottawa requires the administration to commit to implementing the recommendations proposed by the report and meaningfully addressing the concerns outlined. It also requires critical engagement with core issues, such as the Palestinian genocide, which implicate the identities of these students both within and outside the classroom.
As an environment dedicated to the learning and cultivation of all students, the report stands as a challenge to every single member of the university community, from clubs, to professors, to administrative staff, to listen and learn about the experiences of Muslim, Middle Eastern, and North African students.
EDITORIAL STAFF
Editors-in-chief
Kavi Vidya Achar
Andrew Wilimek
managing director
Sydney Grenier
visuals director
Kai Holub
News Editor
Kristen Lupsor
News Writer
Isabelle Jay
Arts & Culture Editor
Daniel Jones
SportS Writers
Ana Sofia de la Parra
Liam Corbett
Business, Science & Tech Editor
Basant Chawla
opinions/features editor
Amira Benjamin
Staff Writers
Marjan Massoom
Fejiro Mejire
Broadcast Editor
Azeeza Kagzi
Online Editor
Ayai Offor
videographer
Pavel Nangfack
Soundtrack to a Coup d’État is a vital reminder of the role art plays in neocolonial history
AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENTARY WITH A RAPID SLASH OF ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE, JAZZ CLASSICS, AND FAR-REACHING CONSEQUENCES
Johan Grimonprez’s Soundtrack to a Coup d’État, screened at ByTowne Theatre on Jan. 21, examines the intersection of African politics and American jazz at a critical moment in global history.
Blending archival footage, declassified government documents and first-hand testimonies, the film reveals how the U.S. wielded jazz as a Cold War weapon. At its core is the 1961 assassination of Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba, exposing Western efforts to suppress African independence and the colonial interests that shaped the continent’s future.
The documentary reconstructs the 1960 United Nations General Assembly, where the Global South asserted its power. It juxtaposes Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev’s dramatic shoe-banging with jazz musicians Abbey Lincoln and Max Roach’s protest at the Security Council. Louis Armstrong’s controversial role as a jazz ambassador is central, highlighting his influence and unwitting complicity as part of an effort to distract from CIA-backed plans to remove Lumumba.
Testimonies from CIA operatives, mercenaries and political figures reveal the extent of international involvement. The film also examines the role of figures like Indian diplomat Krishna
Menon and Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser, whose advocacy for African sovereignty clashed with Western intervention. The fight for civil rights in the U.S. further intertwines with this history, with Malcolm X denouncing Lumumba’s assassination as part of a broader struggle against imperialism. The documentary also explores accusations against then-UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld, whose actions played a role in Lumumba’s removal.
Grimonprez employs a dynamic, collage-like editing style, layering political speeches, jazz performances and classified reports to mirror the improvisational nature of jazz itself. This technique enhances the film’s immersive quality, drawing viewers into the chaos and urgency of the era.
The film’s impact extends beyond historical analysis. By drawing explicit parallels to contemporary issues, including the continued exploitation of the Congo’s resources and its ties to corporations such as Tesla, Soundtrack to a Coup d’État underscores how neocolonial extraction persists today. The documentary positions cultural diplomacy as a powerful but double-edged force, demonstrating how art can be both a tool of resistance and a means of control. Through meticulous research and evocative storytelling, Soundtrack to a Coup d’État serves as a stark reminder that history is not confined to the past, it continues to shape the present. It is set to be screened again at Bytowne Theatre on March 18 at 8:45 p.m.
Elyse Barker
Roots and Routes: U of O Black Excellence Gala showcases culture, art, and legacy
CELEBRATING BLACK CULTURE WITH ART, PERFORMANCE, AND COMMUNITY
Marjan Massoom
The University of Ottawa hosted its fourth annual Black Excellence Gala on February 2nd, bringing together students, alumni, and community members to celebrate Black culture, history, and achievements. This year’s theme, “Roots and Routes,” highlighted the diverse journeys and
Organized by the Black Student Athlete Advocacy Council (BSAAC), this year’s event aimed to expand its scope beyond Africa and mainstream Black communities by embracing the entire Black diaspora. As co-president Kwabena-Nana Gyimah explained, the theme was meant to “celebrate our past, our present, where we came from— whether it’s from the Caribbean, Afro-Latina, African—just as a
different cultural backgrounds. The gala featured a variety of performances that honored Black cultural traditions and artistic expression. Attendees were treated to spoken-word poetry as well as traditional Cameroon dance routines that captivated the audience with their rhythmic energy. Aishah Salim’s original poem titled, “Athazagoraphobia,” honours her late great-grandmother, who taught the impor-
origins of Black individuals, acknowledging their histories while emphasizing the ongoing paths toward success.
whole.” The evening’s program showcased a broad spectrum of Black excellence, reinforcing a sense of unity and pride across
tance of remembrance and legacy through storytelling. Salim described the poem as highlighting “Black history, Black excel-
Dancers perform a vibrant traditional Cameroon routine, celebrating cultural heritage through movement and rhythm. Photo: Marjan Massoom/Fulcrum.
lence, and Black struggle.”
One of the most anticipated moments of the night was an exciting appearance by Reggie Cash (AKA Cashboyreg), a wellknown content creator and uOttawa alumnus. His presence energized the crowd, as he shared insights into his journey from student life to digital fame, demonstrating how Black excellence extends beyond academia and into popular culture.
In addition to live performances, the gala featured an art exhibition that celebrated Black culture and history. One of the highlights was an installation showcasing a collage of photographs, which communicated a compelling story of identity and perseverance over the years. By visually chronicling moments of Black resilience—such as the experiences of Black families immigrating to Canada—this exhibit added depth to the gala’s themes
of roots and routes. A documentary on Africville, one of Canada’s earliest Black settlements, further reinforced this historical perspective, grounding the celebration in the lived experiences of past generations.
Beyond the performances and exhibits, the event served as a platform to educate and inspire attendees. Fabrice Nonez, BSAAC’s community engagement and advocacy executive, emphasized the importance of recognizing the richness of Black history in Canada. He highlighted how these artistic and historical elements not only honored past struggles but also underscored the triumphs that paved the way for today’s Black leaders.
Ivany Rheault, secretary for BSAAC, shared a similar perspective. She highlighted the gala’s role in promoting Canadian Black history and fostering a sense of community. “What
we want to do with BSAAC is just to teach people how to find and spread a positive message during Black History Month,” she explained.
The Black Excellence Gala is a growing movement dedicated to recognizing and uplifting Black voices within the University of Ottawa and beyond. This year’s celebration of roots and routes emphasized both the historical struggles and the ongoing achievements of the Black community, ensuring Black excellence is acknowledged, honored, and continuously built upon. Events like this serve as a testament to the university’s commitment to celebrating its vibrant Black community. With inspiring performances, powerful speeches, and a strong sense of unity, the Black Excellence Gala once again proved to be a defining moment in Black History Month celebrations on campus.
Aishah Salim performs her spoken-word poem, “Athazagoraphobia.” Image: Marjan Massoom/Fulcrum.
WE WANT YOU
WRITERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS & ARTISTS
Natsuki Szczokin prepares for one final playoff run in garnet and grey
“The talk in the locker room was about using [Capital Hoops] as fuel for the next few games coming up”
When you think of basketball, you think of speed and skill, quick feet and hands, and a great deal of athleticism. Therefore, when you think of basketball, you’re thinking of Natsuki Szczokin, a master’s student in international development and globalization from Barrie, Ontario, and the point guard for the University of Ottawa women’s basketball team.
Leading the country in total steals and steals per game and ranking fourth in most assists, she has guided the Gee-Gees to 17 wins out of the 20 games they’ve played, dominating the court while being a well-rounded player. Szczokin is scoring 17.2 points per game while averaging 4.8 assists per game. Her incredible skill and IQ of the game are clearly on display to anyone who watches her play.
Szczokin began playing basketball like any other kid, playing with friends at recess or bump after school. However, she recalled how she started her basketball career: “I tried out for the Barrie Royals when I was in Grade Four, and then, I just haven’t stopped playing since.”
Her journey continued in Simcoe County during grades 9 and 10, in which she played in the JUEL Prep league; which is a provincial league that provides opportunities for female players by ideally establishing practices no further than an hour away
from any player. Allowing them to focus on their education while also demanding exceptional skill, leading her to earn a spot on the
All-Star team in 2016. She was later recognized as a Prep First Team All-Star in 2017. This success opened
Ana Sofia de la Parra
Photo: Robin Kasem/Gaels
doors for her to compete in the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association (OSBA) with Southwest Academy. However, the start of her basketball career there did not begin as expected; with a broken leg, Natsuki could not play her first year and was sidelined.
Admirably, she didn’t give up and worked hard to obtain her spot on the team by Grade 12, which is also where she reunited with current teammate Emily Payne, who has been a constant in Natsuki’s career, from the Royals all the way to the Gee-Gees, contributing to her growth and
development as a player and a person.
The Barrie star recalled how much of an impact Southwest Academy had on the remarkable player we know today as a Gee-Gees star: “It was a big change going from regular high school basketball to the OSBA
Aishah Salim performs her spoken-word poem, “Athazagoraphobia.” Image: Marjan Massoom/Fulcrum.
league. Moving away from home and living far away from my parents was a big adjustment for me, but Southwest Academy was an awesome experience. I met a lot of close friends there, and
it’s been nice to see a lot of my teammates from there succeed, playing either in the NCAA or in
Image: Sophia Bell/Fulcrum Freelancer
well.”
Now, after all this, the lingering question is: how did she get to Ottawa? How did she become the Gee-Gees star we know today? “I was getting recruited by [then-Gees head coach] Andy Sparks in Grade 10,” said Szczokin.
“[The U of O] was the first school that contacted me and was interested in having me as one of their players. And so, when grades 11 and 12 came around, Andy Sparks was still contacting me and recruiting me to the team.”
Szczokin also shared how she came on a visit and fell in love with the University of Ottawa. “The environment here was very, very welcoming. You know, the athletes were really kind, and the coaches were also very nice and welcoming as well. So just the environment itself made me really attracted to the university. So with all of that and the success of the program throughout the years, I thought it would be a really good fit.”
Manifesting her show-stopping career in her first year with the Gee-Gees (2019–2020), Szczokin played in all 22 of the team’s games — starting 15 — averaging 7.1 points per game and 4.0 rebounds. She also had an impressive 52 assists and 29 steals, which rightfully earned her recognition as an OUA All-Rookie .
When asked about it, she contended the recognition was of a team effort. “In my first year, there were some really amazing players on the team. So I was really looking up to the seniors on the team, and me growing as a player. I think seeing how the
culture was on the team, the hard work that all the girls go through, things like that, it really makes you want to work harder.”
By her second year — after the 2020-21 season went unplayed due to COVID — Szczokin started every game, earning her a spot on the OUA East Second Team All-Stars. Under incoming head coach Rose-Anne Joly, she increased her average to 8.9 points per game and led the team in minutes played per game, at 29.9 minutes. She even scored a career-high 24 points in a win against Ontario Tech.
In her third year, she surpassed that number, reaching an impressive career high of 29 points against Laurentian, advancing the team to the OUA quarterfinals.
Szczokin reflected on playing in high-stakes games. “With important games, especially playoff games, there are a lot of nerves that come into play. But I think I’ve learned the importance of having trust with your team as a whole. I think we’ve done a really good job of supporting each other, and the nerves kind of just go away when you know everyone has each other’s backs and we’re playing for each other.”
This season, the team has relied on the word “compete,” which she defined as: “It’s just making sure that we’re working hard and playing hard while we’re on the court. And, you know, just making sure that we’re staying aggressive.”
This mindset has been evident throughout the year, especially in dominant wins such as 111–42 against Ontario Tech. However, on the topic of aggressiveness, the Capital Hoops
Classic came into the conversation. The Gee-Gees had the advantage for the first half of the game, but what happened?
Szczokin shared her insight. “Obviously, we were on a big run in the first half, and the second half didn’t go as we had planned. I think, you know, Carleton, they were able to hit some big threes that really changed the game.”
She added a hopeful note from the locker room. “The talk in the locker room was about using this as fuel for the next few games coming up. Because, obviously, Capital Hoops was a game we really wanted to win, but our end goal is towards the OUA championships, as well as going into nationals this year. So we’re looking at the bigger picture and trying to just stay focused on our goals for the end of the year.”
With numerous awards throughout her career, such as 2023–24 OUA First Team AllStar, 2022–23 OUA Third Team All-Star, and 2021–22 OUA East Second Team All-Star, Szczokin has proven what she can achieve when she competes for it and shows the world how much she wants it.
As her final year with the Gee-Gees comes to a close, and with it our last chance to see her in garnet and grey, make sure to pay attention as the team opens the playoffs with a quarterfinal matchup against the Queen’s Gaels on Montpetit Hall on Saturday at 6 p.m.
Tune in on the OUA.TV app to watch from home.
Best on best hockey, you’ve been missed
15 years after the Golden Goal, Sidney Crosby still has it
Andrew Wilimek
It sure beats an All-Star Game, doesn’t it?
It’s been nine years since the top hockey players in the world have suited up in their nations’ colours and played beston-best, but that all changed Wednesday night at Montreal’s Bell Centre, when the 4 Nations Faceoff kicked off with Canada taking down Sweden in overtime off of a Sidney Crosby assisted Mitch Marner goal.
Even the tournament nine years ago — the 2016 World Cup of Hockey (WCOH) — included the gimmick teams of North America, composed of Canadian and American players 23-and-under, and Europe, which was composed of players hailing from countries on the continent excluding Finland, Sweden, Russia, and Czech Republic, who had their own entries.
Unfortunately for Ralph Krueger’s coaching ambitions, there were no gimmick teams this time around — just a glaring lack of depth, as the league decided to shrink the tournament and stick to the four best national teams only.
But true best-on-best be damned, Team Canada remains Team Canada, and the nation’s hockey fans and media are going to treat them like such. The broadcast couldn’t have asked for any better from the players to cap off a crescendo after a slick opening sequence that hyped up the event.
Sportsnet began the pro-
duction with a montage set to the Tragically Hip’s “Courage (for Hugh McLennan),” before leading into player introductions. After cheers for Sidney Crosby and the Canadian starting lineup and boos for Auston Matthews, these eventually led to a standing ovation for the legendary Mario Lemieux in his home province.
And after an errant highstick from Matthews’ Leafs teammate William Nylander sent the Canadians to the power play, the crescendo was reached under a minute into the game, as Crosby sent a no-look, behind-the-back feed to his offseason training partner and Cole Harbour neighbour Nathan MacKinnon, who made no mistake and buried the tournaments’ first goal.
I still remember where I was 15 years ago (wow,) as a six-year-old watching Crosby score the Golden Goal in 2010 — in my parents basement, playing mini-sticks while watching the game on our ancient analog television — and as a 10-year-old in 2014, when Carey Price shut out Sweden to make it back-toback golds — sleeping over at my friend’s house, where we set alarms to wake the entire house up for that 8 a.m. EST start.
It’s unlikely that the 4 Nations tournament this year will mean the same to kids growing up now. Maybe I’m just biased or was particularly forgetful as a 13-year-old, but I can barely recall that gold medal game, much less where I was for it. Be it the fall tournament or those aforementioned gimmick teams, the WCOH made it clear that inter-
national hockey is best played at the Olympics.
But hey, we’re still allowed to have a little fun watching Connor McDavid don the maple leaf in best-on-best competition for the first time ever — even if I eventually forget everything almost everything else about the tournament, like I did in 2016.
And I know that a goalie controversy sells, but it really doesn’t matter who’s in net for the team, as the media has been obsessing over for the last few months. The days of Price are unfortunately well in the rearview mirror, but Crosby — who added another primary assist in the second period of the 4-3 win and finished with three on the night — hasn’t skipped a beat since 2016, 2014, or 2010, and his supporting crew has only got younger and more talented.
The 4 Nations Faceoff is the prelims, if you will, for the main card that is the 2026 Olympics, and if Gary Bettman and the NHL finally make it back to
the big dance for the first time in 12 years like they’ve promised, you can bet that tournament will breed those same memories if Canada returns to glory at Milan next year. A generation of children deserve it.
Photo:
CONTRIBUTORS
THE FULCRUM WOULD LIKE THANK
Christine Wang
Elyse Barker
Sophia Bell
Lucy Baker
Rame Abdulkader
FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THIS PUBLICATION!
photo: Pavel Nangfack/fulcrum
Digital Literacy– coming to a screen near you in September 2025
When considering AI and algorithms discussions about implicit bias and discrimination that emerge.
Students who worry about how best to manage their files, how to navigate AI, and the speedy development of technology need not worry any longer. In the fall of 2025, U of O students will be able to enroll in a new class discussing digital literacy.
The Fulcrum spoke with Jada Watson, an associate professor of Digital Humanities in the School of Information Studies and Marc Charron, senior advisor of Strategic Initiatives at the Faculty of Arts for more information on the upcoming course.
The conception for the class comes from a variety of different perspectives including response to student need, and in response to the current climate of technology.
“As technology changes so rapidly around us, we have to consider not just how it works, but why it works the way it does, and the legal parameters around it, and the issues that can emerge from working with different technologies.” Watson said in an interview with the Fulcrum.
Of course, there will be an emphasis on practical skills that will be discussed in the course
such as how to best organize your cloud files, how to manage your data and how to effectively source and cite academic articles.
More conceptually, the course will address how technology changes and what these changes mean for society. Watson states “technology changes and we really need to understand how it’s working. I study the music industry, with a particular interest in algorithmic bias and discrimination in recommendaation systems in digital service providers like Spotify. The issues that happen in Spotify are the same as what happens in your Google search engine, and it’s the same thing that happens in generative AI. And so there are legal considerations, there are ethical considerations, and quite often, there are discussions about implicit bias and discrimination that emerge.”
In a world where algorithms reaffirm your opinions and biases, it is essential for students in an academic setting to interact with technology in a critical way.
“I’m excited to have students be thinking critically about how generative AI is working. There was this video that went a little bit viral last year that presented the history of fashion generated through AI, and it was these two avatars and the clothing on them changed.”
“It was really interesting to think about what the data sets must have been to produce the changing images over time. Because, quite frankly, the avatars were white, and the fashion
trends were very Euro-centric and Western.”
Charron and Watson have considered several logistical challenges for the course. Charron stated “[Watson] and I agreed on the terms of her creating the course content so that we are in a position to offer it next September, [September 2025]. What we want to do is first offer it as an elective to Arts students who might want to join. Then, year after year, we can offer it to a greater number of students across campus. The first iteration of the course will run this coming September, with a French version following in the winter 2026 term.”
To include as many students as possible, the pilot course will run as an asynchronous model.
Watson aptly noted “It’s a stronger way to build a more accessible course, so that it removes barriers for students who want to take it. We might be post lockdown, but we’re not post COVID, and students are making big, important decisions about how they engage in courses based on their health and well being. And I’m very proud that they’re doing that. I think that we need to be able to offer some of these courses in this fashion to make that an easier decision for them.”
Overall, students who are interested in learning more about the evolution of technology and digital literacy can enroll in the course in September 2025. Also, students can consider a minor in digital cultures or the microprogram in digital cultures.
Sydney Grenier
Dasser Kamran/Fulcrum Archives
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
Keelan Buck
ChaiR & fulcrum alumna
Emma Godmerea
Secretary
Devin Beauregard
Treasurer
Ria Kunkulol
University Representative
Bhanu Bhakta Acharya
Contributor Representative
Siena Domaradzki-Kim
Student RepresentativeS
Gabrielle Douglas
David Okengwu
Agape Williams
Tsungai Mazarire
Executive Director
Vaishali Thapliyal
Editors-in-chief
Kavi Vidya Achar
Andrew Wilimek
If you are interested in joining our Board of Directors, we would love to hear from you. Please contact president@thefulcrum.ca for more information.
photo: Pavel Nangfack/fulcrum
To co-op or not to co-op?
The pros and cons of co-operative education
Fejiro Mejire
The co-op program, or the co-operative education program as it is less commonly known, is an education stream that can be added to a degree. It gives students the opportunity to gain work experience in a field related to their degree of study. At universities, co-op extends regular four-year university experiences to five years (or by an additional semester), with students working in full-time, paid placements with companies during certain semesters of their study.
The University of Ottawa’s co-op program is presented as one of the best in the country, however, the co-op program is not as seamless as it seems.
Going through a university co-op program can provide relevant work experience, networking opportunities, and chance for career exploration. However, it often comes with a lack of a flexible university schedule, technicalities with fees, and the lack of a guaranteed position at companies applied to.
Medium writer Kevin Lin narrated his experience as an engineering student with his university co-op at the University of British Columbia. He stated that while there were obvious benefits: obtaining practical, industry experience and getting money that could help pay for housing and tuition, there were also hidden downsides to the program.
“Firstly, you have to pay for co-op. It’s obvious in hindsight,” Lin wrote. “Still, this fee
wasn’t mentioned in the information sessions and co-op was presented as a no-brainer with no downsides.”
Finding a job also proved to be more taxing than he expected. Lin recalled, “Between creating resumes, writing cover letters and filling out job applications, the job search was pretty much another course’s worth of homework.”
Nevertheless, for him, the program was a net benefit: earning him income which enabled him to start investing, boosting his confidence in his ability to land a job after graduation, and giving him productive time out of school.
Similar to UBC, the University of Ottawa has several pros and cons to co-op, with students having varying opinions on whether they find the program worth it or not. At the University of Ottawa, the co-op program is available in 68 undergraduate programs and 14 masters programs. It has been in existence for nearly 40 years and is one of the top five co-op programs in Canada. It admits roughly 1,000 domestic and international students annually, with allowance for placements abroad.
“There are approximately 4,000 students participating in the co-op program each year.” said Jesse Robichaud, the university’s spokesperson in an interview. “Students consistently highlight the value of gaining real-world experience, building professional networks, and enhancing their career readiness through paid work-terms.”
Comparable to the experience of Kevin Lin, co-op at the U of O is often marketed as an experience with few downsides or financial commitments. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. At the U of O, most co-op programs are optional. However, students with mandatory co-op programs must pay either $641 or $806 per co-op term, depending on their citizenship status.
“Co-op is an optional program (except for software engineering and master’s experiential psychology), and students can choose to withdraw if they determine it’s not the right fit for them,” stated Robichaud. “While we track student participation through program statistics, we focus on providing the right support to help students succeed in co-op.”
The extensive nature and diversity of U of O’s co-op program often means that in some disciplines, the program is over-crowded with limited appealing job choices.
“There are not enough placements and I think it may come down to the funding the English department is given.”
Elise Maccaull, a third-year English major at U of O, commented, making a possible connection between the small size of the English department and the number of co-op placements they receive. “There are some good placements with the government and publications, but they are so few. English is not really a co-op program in my mind.”
If students are unable to find an appealing placement,
they may end up with less suitable options, like administrative work at the university.
Vice-president international for the Development Students’ Association (AEDSA), Tom Chazelle Schulze, recalled his con-
ment co-ops, preference is given to Canadian citizens and bilingual applicants. As such, despite paying a higher amount to be in the co-op program, international students (especially in programs with government co-ops) are not
government jobs and that leaves international students stranded. Sometimes the co-op office lets them know they don’t have placements for them.”
Co-op may also affect the way grades are calculated when
versations with students about co-op. He noted that in the past, students had been placed with the Lost and Found Centre or residence life — in one instance, a student had to do an unpaid placement.
Some other students are unable to find jobs at all.
This is more common with international students in academic programs whose worthwhile co-op placements are mostly government jobs. With govern-
given priority by employers and are often left stranded in the coop stream.
“Our program has a lot of international students who are in co-op and they face several barriers, including obtaining security clearance and having a diversity of co-op job offers [outside government jobs].” president of the Conflict and Human Rights Association (CHRA) Gabrielle Plastiras remarked, “Most of the job availability for our program are
applying to professional programs like medicine in some universities. As such, the decision to enroll in a co-op program should be considered while being fully aware of what steps need to be taken when applying for professional programs in the future.
“We encourage students to attend drop-in sessions and to watch informational webinars before accepting their co-op admission offer,” remarked Robichaud. “The Welcome to Co-op webinar
Photo: Amira Benjamin/Fulcrum
they may end up with less suitable options, like administrative work at the university.
Vice-president international for the Development Students’ Association (AEDSA), Tom Chazelle Schulze, recalled his conversations with students about co-op. He noted that in the past, students had been placed with the Lost and Found Centre or residence life — in one instance, a student had to do an unpaid placement.
Some other students are unable to find jobs at all.
This is more common with international students in academic programs whose worthwhile co-op placements are mostly government jobs. With government co-ops, preference is given to Canadian citizens and bilingual applicants. As such, despite paying a higher amount to be in the co-op program, international students (especially in programs with government co-ops) are not given priority by employers and are often left stranded in the coop stream.
“Our program has a lot of international students who are in co-op and they face several barriers, including obtaining security clearance and having a diversity of co-op job offers [outside government jobs].” president of the Conflict and Human Rights Association (CHRA) Gabrielle Plastiras remarked, “Most of the job availability for our program are government jobs and that leaves international students stranded. Sometimes the co-op office lets them know they don’t have placements for them.”
Co-op may also affect the way grades are calculated when applying to professional pro-
grams like medicine in some universities. As such, the decision to enroll in a co-op program should be considered while being fully aware of what steps need to be taken when applying for professional programs in the future.
“We encourage students to attend drop-in sessions and to watch informational webinars before accepting their co-op admission offer,” remarked Robichaud. “The Welcome to Co-op webinar provides a detailed overview of the program, followed by a Q&A session where students can ask about specific considerations. Our team is always available to help students make informed decisions based on their individual circumstances.”
While some of these flaws can be managed with the right amount of preparation, most of these cons are not discovered until you get into the co-op program and have, oftentimes, paid the first fee. Afterall, students are not able to ask questions about issues they are unaware of.
Regardless, it isn’t always a dire story. The U of O co-op program has a dropout rate of between 8-10 per cent with students leaving the program for personal reasons or to focus on their studies. Overall, the U of O co-op program is renowned for enabling students to get access to public service jobs, gain relevant work experience and build professional networks before graduating from school.
“The system is not perfect. Sometimes, it feels like a gamble because you have to decide whether to take a decent job offer or wait on the decision from your preferred job,” said AEDSA president Juliette Houle Charbon-
neau, who is currently on a co-op work term.
Charbonneau, like many other students, had to face the effects of a policy change by the co-op office for the 2025 winter term. Instead of multiple rounds of interviews, co-op students have two business days to accept or deny a job offer. This change has led to students having less time to wait on multiple job offers to arrive, and often have to choose between accepting their first offer, or risk the possibility of not getting another offer if they wait on another offer and the first offer expires.
In Charbonneau’s experience, development students get placements in the federal government and may also get certain kinds of security clearances that may be valid after graduation. Those clearances are helpful when students are applying for full-time positions at the federal government.
Currently, the co-op office is working to improve its services through student surveys, and revamping workshops to offer students better support in their co-op journey. The office is also working towards developing a new co-op portal with the help of the direct input from students as well as adapting the placement process to align with the evolving job market needs.
Students interested in coop are welcome to attend the weekly drop-in sessions. The benefits of co-op are not overstated, however, students need to be fully informed about the challenges that accompany participating in the program.
photo: Pavel Nangfack/fulcrum
Hello?! Why can’t anyone hear me?
The university needs more comprehensive efforts to ensure student needs are addressed
Amira Benjamin
Sometimes getting a hold of a university employee is like trying to call your relative with bad service. It starts off pretty simple, but when you try to move into more complex conversation, the signal can get lost (figurative-
of it? What gives?
Despite being a well-established U-15 research intensive university, I guess everyone has to learn how to be a better communicator. Whether it is asking someone from residence a question, trying to facilitate a room booking, or even reaching an academic advisor, more often
easily get sucked into. How many times have you been “redirected” to a different office or department that is “better handled to resolve your issue”, just to get sent in circles, emailing people you didn’t know existed? Unfortunately, because email is the dominant form of communication (which makes sense, you can do it anywhere
ly or literally). Then they move from one room to another, trying to get a better connection…but you somehow feel bad at the end
than not, you probably feel like you’re talking to a brick wall. Part of this is the sticky spiral of email webs that you can
and reply at your own pace), it can become more difficult to explain your issue rather than in-person — especially if it goes
Image: Andrew Wilimek/Fulcrum
through multiple channels.
This also extends to booking certain appointments, especially at the Health and Wellness Centre. Although only recently opened, many students struggle booking an appointment, as new appointments are posted right at 8 in the morning each day. Sleeping in because you had to close last night? Commuting to campus and you don’t have cellular data? Too bad — try again tomorrow.
Despite the plethora of services the Student Health and Wellness Centre offers, it’s difficult to ac-
cess them when you cannot even understand how to access them. The university employs thousands of people who are essential to the functioning of the campus, and their jobs are appreciated by students. But there needs to be a priority of improving communication and access of knowledge between students and the services they access the most, such as SASS, beginning from the top-down. Otherwise, students will maintain an expectation of not solving their issues, and worse — not feeling like their problems matter.
However, students are not the only ones who struggle from indirect communication; employees cannot perform to the best of their abilities if no information is consistent or their needs aren’t being met. With two union negotiation breakthroughs within the same academic year — both fulltime professors and power plant employees — it would be fair to question the administration’s priorities of fair communication and bargaining as well. How often do these different unions feel as stonewalled as students? How are any crucial problems getting solved?
You might believe that as a student who is only planning to be here for four years, your relationship with the university is established; you pay your tuition, you pass your classes, and the university exists…at a distance when you need it. But shouldn’t it be more than just the bare minimum — for everybody? There should be simple, concise and compassionate efforts to guide your years at university, whether you complete four years or four months.
A giant game of broken telephone is worsening the already widening communication gap between students and administration. With such a large and diverse student population, hailing from all over the world, a lack of communication and expectations does not foster a community of understanding and academic excellence, but rather apathy and independence. Different needs require different solutions — which is where a university should thrive.
Students, faculty, and employees have been working hard together to try and solve problems affecting several issues on campus — but communication is fundamental to all aspects of academia. Interviewing different services, such as SASS and co-op office, to understand their communication goals is one such example.
Using social media to establish a variety of surveys, focus groups and interviews to collect student feedback on different services is also important. Working hands-on with different student groups — from registered student governments to clubs — can help ease the anonymity between students and administrators, and feel as though true progress is being made. Communication should be a two-way street, not a yap session with a brick wall that takes thousands of dollars.
The (Formerly) Unwritten Guide to Morisset Library Etiquette is here
Number 1 will SHOCK you!
We’ve all been there. Studying at home and Starbucks isn’t cutting it anymore: you need to lock in. So, you decided to brave the library for the very first time. But what are the rules of the library? Where do you go? Where can’t you talk? Which rooms are reserved? Where can you eat? What can you do? Not knowing the answers to these questions can make the library an intimidating, menacing place.
Have no fear: The (Formerly) Unwritten Guide to Morrisette Library Etiquette is here:
If you’re sick, stay home. No one wants you coming to the library and coughing everywhere. However, staying home is not always possible, so if you
must come, at least wear a mask and cover your mouth when you sneeze.
Take your calls outside.
It’s essential to stay connected with your friends and family, especially if you’re far away
from home. Just don’t do it on the quiet floors – step outside, or into the staircase.
Don’t make a mess.
When you leave, throw out your empty coffee cups and protein bar wrappers on the way out. Also, the Morisset bathrooms are notoriously some of the worst on campus. Please do your part –keep the space clean, and make sure you flush.
Reserved rooms require reservations.
Those lovely, quiet, empty rooms that look so nice to study in? Yeah, those are reserved. Please don’t take the rooms if you’re not the one who reserved them. (BTW – you can reserve rooms for yourself on the library’s website).
Do your best not to stink.
The library is a lovely, peaceful place. You don’t want to smell others; others don’t want to smell you. Please shower after you go to the gym. Please shower on a regular basis, even if you don’t go to the gym. Please wear deodorant. REAL deodorant. And please, don’t take your shoes off. Your feet probably smell, too.
Use headphones.
The library is not your living room – if you need to watch a movie or video, don’t do it out loud. Use headphones. The same goes for music – although you may think you have the best music taste in the world, not everyone agrees.
Don’t vape in the library.
I can’t believe I have to say this, but please don’t vape in the library. That’s it. That’s the whole rule. Just don’t do it.
Don’t talk on the quiet floors.
The golden rule of the library; the one rule that, above all other rules, must be followed. Please. For goodness’s sake. Don’t talk on the fifth and sixth floors. Searching the r/geegees subreddit brings up tens of posts with hundreds of comments, all echoing the same sentiment: Please. Be. Quiet. If you need to talk, you can go anywhere else on campus – keep the library a calm and silent space.
The Morisset Library is a great place to cram for exams, work on group projects, and find textbooks for free. As long as everyone respects the library and their peers around them, we can all exist in the library harmoniously and peacefully.
Lucy Baker
Photo: Rame Abdulkader/Fulcrum
Wiarton Willie wanted for fraud by feds
Willie hasn’t been seen since Feb. 2
Andrew Wilimek
On Thursday morning, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) held a press conference in Wiarton, Ontario, to announce the launch of a search for pop culture icon ‘Wiarton Willie.’ The RCMP say that Willie has defrauded millions of Canadians into thinking there would be an early spring and is wanted on felony charges.
Wiarton, a town of about 2,000 people on the Bruce Peninsula in Western Ontario, has been home to Willie since the 1980s. Each Groundhog Day, celebrated on Feb. 2, it is tradition that he predicts whether there will be an early spring or six more weeks of winter based upon the science of shadow-seeing. This year, he predicted an early spring when he was unable to see his shadow.
But February has been anything but an early spring, with repeated dumps of snow wreaking havoc on even the best laid travel plans, collapsing parking garages, and deflating sports domes.
Sources, who are not being identified for fear of having their burrows raided, told the Tomato that Willie was acting “cagey” following his prediction on Feb. 2. They allege that Willie snuck onto a bus bound for the American border after exiting the event, donning a disguise consisting of a fake moustache, glasses, and a Canada Goose parka.
The RCMP quietly began
operations to sniff out Willie in the weeks leading up to the official announcement and have now officially enlisted the help of the USA’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The collaboration between the two federal agencies was authorized in a rare moment of unity between Canada and the US. On X (Twitter), senior advisor to the President of the United States Elon Musk wrote that the need for the operation became apparent to him right away, alleging that the network of tunnels was being used for underground drug smuggling operations.
A senior Canadian government official told the Tomato that the holdup for the search to begin was due disagreements between the Ontario government and the federal government over whether Willie should be charged under provincial or federal statutes.
In the early hours of Feb. 15, FBI agents conducted a noknock raid on Punxsutawney Phil — a known associate of Willie — in northwestern Pennsylvania, after receiving a tip that Phil and Willie had spent Valentine’s Day together.
The raid was unsuccessful, though the FBI did find a fake passport sporting the name “Walkerton William” and chewedup Farmer’s Almanacs in the extensive network of tunnels around Phil’s burrow. Phil was later charged with harbouring an international fugitive by the FBI.
“Willie’s trail has turned cold,” said an RCMP spokesperson at the press conference Thursday. “We believe he may
have gone deeper underground — literally,” citing a network of tunnels the agencies have uncovered in Ontario and the northeastern US.
“He can’t hide forever,” continued the spokesperson. “Sooner or later, every groundhog finds its shadow.”
