Features:
The faces behind and around The Campus
By Lauren Root Features Editor
The Campus has been both a source of pride and accomplishment for students since 1944. Independently run, The Campus is operated solely by Bishop’s students, with no administration or staff input when it comes to the articles or the layout. Since The Campus gained its independence in 1944, there have been countless students who have worked behind the scenes to ensure that all issues are published without flaws, and that all matters around Bishop’s and the Lennoxville community have a voice and are noticed.
For the 2025-2026 school year, the Editor-in-Chief position will be held by Rianna Ostrosser! Rianna is entering her 5th year at Bishop’s, studying an honours degree in English Literature. The role of Editor-in-Chief oversees all The Campus members, and makes sure that everything is operating smoothly, and that the newspaper is reflecting Bishop’s values. A fun fact about Rianna is that she only applied to universities made from brick because of her love of fantasy, and her dream of living in a castle.
Eryn Costello is once again filling the role of Junior Copy Editor, laying first eyes on the articles received from section editors. A double Honours student in English Literature and Political Science, Eryn (her trusty Canadian Press Stylebook in hand) makes sure every piece is polished and ready for print. She has a passion for refining articles until they shine and giving writers confidence in their work — usually fuelled by more cups of coffee than she’d like to admit.
The 2025-2026 Senior Copy Editor is Olivia Norby, an English major and PreLaw minor, who will be making final revisions to make sure that all articles are ready to be published.
Abby Epstein holds the Layout Editor role for the 2025-2026 school year, where she will be creatively brainstorming the layout of The Campus.
Elysia Christodoulopoulos will be overseeing the News section of The Campus for the upcoming school year, reporting on all newsworthy developments happening both on campus and in the community.
Read more on page 8
Photo courtesy of Gabby Lalonde
Elysia Christodoulopoulos, News Editor » thecampus.news@gmail.com
How Bishop’s Forum brought the Purple Spirit to Quebec students
By Elysia Christodoulopoulos News Editor
The Bishop’s Forum, a weeklong civic leadership training program, brought the university’s cherished Purple Spirit to students from across the province. Bishop’s own Stéphanie Mallick-Pilon reflected on her experience, noting a shift in atmosphere the moment participants arrived on campus.
With a mix of students and recent graduates from universities including Concordia, McGill, and Bishop’s, many participants were meeting for the first time. For Mallick-Pilon, the start of the five-day training was both exciting and nerve-racking — but it also quickly became a moment of self-reflection.
“When we got off the bus, no one helped the driver with the luggage,” she recalled. “I was the only one who stepped in to assist while others just stood and watched.”
But her efforts didn’t go unnoticed. Another participant joined in, setting an example of what was to come during the forum: community building. Though it was only the two of them who initially lent a helping hand, the gesture became
an early sign of the collaborative effort that would grow throughout the week.
The Bishop’s Forum offers a unique mentorship opportunity for Quebec’s English-speaking community, giving participants the chance to connect with experts in academia, business, and politics. Through discussions on key issues such as language laws, education, and AI sovereignty, they gained insight into Quebec’s democratic process.
Still, for Mallick-Pilon, it was the Bishop’s campus itself that made the experience truly special.
Bishop’s motto, “Recti cultus pectora roborant,” meaning “sound learning strengthens the spirit,” indeed set the tone for the event. Participants were encouraged to bring outdoor clothes to fully immerse themselves in the university’s beautiful surroundings to help ground them in the experience. Additionally, all discussions throughout the forum followed the Chatham House Rule, meaning participants could share their experiences but couldn’t disclose what was said or who said it. This rule
allowed students to engage deeply with complex issues without fear of judgment. Mallick-Pilon emphasized how student-centred the event was—a core pillar of the Purple Spirit here at Bishop’s University.
She also noted the program’s genuine commitment to diversity, sharing how the organizers “want[ed] the conversations to change perspective and have different people and voices heard.” This effort aligns closely with Bishop’s brand message: “Be distinctive. Be consistent. BU,” as it reflects the university’s commitment to cultivating an environment where every voice matters and where all ideas are welcome. Mallick-Pilon highlighted that having students from a wide range of backgrounds positively shaped her experience.
Throughout the week, participants worked together in seven different groups to find solutions to pressing civic challenges. All presentations required strong collaborative efforts. As a result, what started as one helping hand on a bus turned into a community of support—the very essence of the Purple Spirit. Mallick-Pilon shared how on the last day, everyone helped put the luggage back onto the bus.
Rethinking the party culture: how Bishop’s students are responding to the university’s crackdown
By Elysia Christodoulopoulos News Editor
Anew year of parties for Bishop’s students is marked by new traditions: partying responsibly. With Homecoming around the corner, partygoers are encouraged to think of the environmental impact they leave behind.
For months after parties, crushed cans, broken glass, and remnants of bonfires covered Reed Street—the heart of Bishop’s outdoor party scene. Unable to ignore the growing mess, Jacob Guité, former president of the Dragon Society and a Bishop’s Environmental Studies graduate, decided to take action. He launched a clean-up initiative with his brotherhood and
the Bishop’s Environmental Club to make sure the mess wouldn’t linger. “It’s really satisfying when the entire street is covered in garbage, and then two hours later, you come back, and all the trash is in one corner instead of the whole street,” Guité said.
This commitment and act of community clean-up were evident after the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day party. Nine volunteers—four from the Dragon Society and five from the Environmental Club—gathered to clear the street.
But is this clean-up effort part of a broader shift at Bishop’s, as the university tries to move away from its notorious party reputation. Guité shared the university’s reluctance to accept their brotherhood, noting a commitment in enforcement efforts. Even several well-known party houses have shut down, with some slated for demolition this year. Among them, Animal House stood out for its wild parties and frequent complaints.
A 2016 article in The Campus described it as an “eyesore,” citing graffiti-covered walls and a lawn littered with alcohol containers. Now converted into subsidized housing, the building serves an entirely different purpose.
The university and city have not only strengthened enforcement in recent years, but also education on responsible student gatherings. Before
big events, Bishop’s security manager, Carson Brooks, walks the student village with a Sherbrooke police officer and fire prevention officer, outlining the potential fines and sanctions for misconduct. “It’s not that we don’t want students to have fun,” Brooks explained. “We just want them to do it in a way where no one gets hurt and nothing gets destroyed.”
The warnings have had consequences— following Homecoming in September 2024, authorities issued fines after fireworks caused a house fire by entering through an open window. Fortunately, the fire department responded quickly, and there were no reports of any injuries or property damage.
Despite these changes, the party scene
at Bishop’s is still strong, but students are more aware of their impact, and longtime Reed Street residents recognize the shift. An older couple who has lived on the street for 35 years declined to comment formally but shared their appreciation for the student energy in the neighbourhood. They sat on their porch on St. Patrick’s Day, smiling at the festivities.
Whether initiatives like the community clean-up will lead to lasting change remains to be seen, but for now, Reed Street is being left cleaner than ever before.
If you are interested in joining the next community clean-up, follow the Bishop’s Environmental Club on Instagram: @ buenvironmentalclub.
Photo courtesy of Gabrielle Liu
Photos courtesy of Jacob Guité
Photo courtesy of Stéphanie Mallick Pilon
Elysia Christodoulopoulos, News Editor » thecampus.news@gmail.com
SRC sets early by-election as seats are left to fill
By Josef Spence Contributor
On Aug. 11, 2025, the SRC announced that there would be a by-election held this fall to fill the open Board Director positions on the Board of Student Representatives (BSR), the governing body of the Bishop’s University Students’ Representative Council (SRC). The election will take place at the end of September. With only six members currently serving, the BSR is operating below its full capacity. The board, which typically consists of nine board directors, only has four board directors alongside the president and vice-president. Through the by-election the BSR aims to fill the remaining three seats.
Given a unique opportunity to be involved, board directors sit on various committees of the SRC, Bishop’s University, and joint committees. These committees can be either of an administrative nature, such as the Campus Dining Committee or the Grants and Donations Review Committee, or governance-focused, such as the Advocacy Committee or the Governance Committee, as well as the BSR, which performs strictly governance tasks.
Their role is indeed an essential one, requiring regular communication with a wide range of students and listening to their concerns and ideas to accurately represent the student body. Board directors are expected to spend 1015 hours every week in this work and are granted a $417/month honorarium for their efforts.
With these vital positions remaining unfilled, the BSR voted to approve a schedule for the byelection over the summer. In their discussions of the schedule at the July board meeting several directors expressed hope that holding events surrounding the election at the beginning of the school year would lead to greater broad participation in the election process. Some directors also voiced the potential
Tfor stronger involvement from first-year students if the election was scheduled for the fall further, hoping that this early by-election will encourage first-years to join the BSR. Others questioned the addition of first-year students to the BSR as a sound consideration when scheduling the by-election.
Under this approved schedule, the nomination period will begin on August 25 and close on September 8. Students who are interested in running in the election must complete and submit the nomination form within that time. Interested candidates can print the nomination form from the SRC website or pick up a copy from the SRC offices located under the Purple Pod. Prospective candidates submit completed forms to the dropbox located in front of the SRC offices’ front desk. Alternatively, students could complete and submit
the electronic form.
But this form is not just a simple fill-in-the-blanks document. Prospective candidates must have the nomination form signed by at least twenty Bishop’s students. It is also important to note that each student may only nominate one candidate for the by-election and must confirm their nomination by responding to a validation email sent by the SRC. If using the electronic form prospective students must gather the full name, Bishop’s email address, and student number for at least twenty students to serve in the place of the twenty signatures. As with the physical forms, students nominating a candidate who uses the electronic form must confirm their nomination by replying to a validation email sent by the SRC.
This by-election will also include several means of campaigning not seen by the SRC
anytime in recent history: slates and campaign agents. Prospective candidates have the opportunity to register in a slate, which allows them to affiliate with other candidates within that slate for the campaign. Candidates are also able to register a campaign agent to help them plan and execute their campaign more effectively and efficiently. Through these means the SRC is reducing the burdens placed on candidates individually during the campaign.
Aware of the complexity of running in this election, the SRC has prepared four information sessions to help interested students navigate the rules and procedures of running in the election. Candidates are required to attend at least one of these information sessions. The information sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, August 26, from 6-8 p.m. on Teams, Thursday, September 4 from, 1-3 p.m. in MOU008 (the SRC Conference/ Meeting Room), Friday, September 5 from noon-2 p.m. in MOU008, and on Monday, September 8 from 2-4 p.m. in MOU008.
The campaign period will begin on September 9, with a debate night scheduled for Thursday, September 18, at 6 p.m. in the Gait. The ballot for the by-election will open on Sunday, September 21, at 9 a.m. and will close on Tuesday, September 23 at 9 a.m.
Further information on the byelection schedule and rules, policies, procedures, and regulations governing this by-election can be found on the SRC website (busrc.
he Campus acknowledges that the land on which we operate is stolen land, the traditional territory of the Abenaki people. We live, learn, work, and play on this land, home to Indigenous peoples still living. Canada was founded through colonization, a system rooted in oppression and the abuse of power over others, continuing to affect First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities today. As a student newspaper, The Campus has a responsibility to highlight truth. We are committed to prioritizing underrepresented voices in our community and proactively highlighting Indigenous peoples’ histories and ongoing realities, including their resilience and achievements. We recognize our work plays a role in shaping public perceptions, being able to call-out injustice but also call-in action. We emphasize that we must go beyond a land acknowledgement, which is only one step towards reconciliation. It is the stories in our paper – told with respect, accuracy, and integrity – and the respect and humility we show to the land and others that is more important than what is written in a land acknowledgement. Actionable steps to go beyond a land acknowledgement include educating ourselves and others, and supporting Indigenous traditions, movements, and businesses. —The Campus Team
Graphic courtesy of Abigail Epstein
Quittin’ time
By Grace Johnston Contributor
Quitting gets a bad reputation. Typically reserved for dropouts, cheaters, and lazy loafers. Understandably, no one wants to be a quitter. But sometimes, choosing to leave can be the key that opens so many new doors in your life. There is, of course, nuance to the art of a resignation, but it always remains an option. University is the time to try anything and everything. You will inevitably make commitments that later prove not to suit you. Keep this card in your back pocket because quitting may just be for you.
Before getting overly excited to flip your life upside down, let’s establish that there is a method to this move. Your investment in the commitment is a crucial factor in how you quit. Not every resignation can be as seamless as mine from Tim Hortons after my first miserable training day. For example, this summer, I was hired at a beautiful, remote, and promising lodge in the Rockies, which soon proved to be a total disaster. For this job, I lived on site and worked with a small team. Despite it being in complete
disarray, quitting hastily would have negatively impacted both me and the people I worked for. So, while
This patience and planning may feel intimidating and could even discourage you from making
a spontaneous exit can be (and was) tempting, quitting sometimes requires a slow burn. Planning to ensure you and the shrapnel of your departure are taken care of is very important.
the decision altogether. However, as someone who has never worked a summer job twice, quitting can start to feel totally normal. Once resignation is in your tool kit, you become more confident to
leave a lackluster obligation. If the wage, terms, or environment is not what I anticipated, I have no problem packing my bags. This was the mentality that motivated me to restart my job search halfway through summer and stay focused on living the summer I had envisioned.
With practice, experiences start to feel like stepping stones. This is crucial for young people trying to determine their path. Everyone has a finite amount of time and energy, and postponing a resignation can hold you back and keep you in your comfort zone for too long. When I was a varsity athlete, that commitment dominated my schedule and I didn’t share the same passion as my teammates for the sport. When I decided to leave, my schedule broke open to all the hobbies I love today: rock climbing, hiking, photography, and travel.
In the same vein, when I found myself unhappy this summer, I dreaded reentering the application process, but knew it would be worthwhile. This decision led me to a 3-Michelin Key lodge on Vancouver Island, where I live expense free with my new best friends. I struck gold with this new job, living the best two summer months of my life. It was a complete pivot which was only made possible by my steadfast decision to quit.
Perseverance has its own place and can also be a great tool for finding what makes you feel alive. But commitment has a great PR team, and someone needed to vouch for resignation. I have never subscribed to the idea that quitting is lazy. It takes patience, practice, planning, and can be 100% worthwhile. So if you’re feeling stuck, know that quitting may just be for you.
Discovering Saguenay: a hidden gem just hours from BU
By Kayla Boujja Contributor
Hey Campus readers! I hope you all had a fulfilling and exciting Summer. I’m sure that you travelled all over, but let me tell you about where I decided to go, Saguenay!
Though it may not sound luxurious, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean is a wonderful region located merely five hours from our wonderful BU. If you haven’t heard
of it before, it is mostly recognized for its breathtaking Fjord, stunning nature, whalewatching opportunities, and delectable blueberries that you can find practically anywhere!
I know that Saguenay is not necessarily a Euro-Summer, but it’s a surefire way to travel on a budget while still visiting a beautiful region. I stayed on a friend’s campsite, but there are National Parks galore where you could stay, and hotels (just like anywhere else.) I’ll proceed
by laying out one of our daily itineraries, because I believe that our activities of that day were a great way to explore the region and to take in the breathtaking views.
7 AM wake up. Brutal, I know, but our site was a 45-minute drive from the nearest town. I have yet to mention this but embarking on a trip like this would allow you to really disconnect.
There was no reception for miles, and we were fairly secluded. However, you could decide to stay closer to civilization. If you need to unplug, here’s your chance!
We took a small cruise from a dock in La Baie, the nearest town to us (which was equally very cute) to the Saguenay Fjord National Park. I’ve been to a SEPAQ (Quebec National Parks)site or two in my life, but this was one of the best. The views of the Fjord were incredible, and the boat ride was insane. We were directly on the St-Lawrence River, and the ride was about an hour and a half, with incredible views all along. Trees galore, I’m telling you. could never get sick of it. You just have to see it for yourself!
We decided to take a pretty intermediate-level hike at the park in order to have time to make it back to our returning cruise. We slowly made our way back down, got back on the boat, and headed back to La Baie and to our site. Not before stopping for a poutine, in true Québec fashion.
Lakes, hikes, and just constantly something nice to look at, this was my first time in the Saguenay region, but surely not my last. It’s relatively close to BU (which is subjective, but you get it) and even nicer to explore in the Fall! Hop in your car, or convince your friends to go with you in their cars and go down for a weekend. You won’t regret it. It’s budget friendly, unlike anything around Sherbrooke, and a great change of pace and scenery. I couldn’t recommend it enough!
Anya Mullen, Opinions Editor » thecampus.opinions@gmail.com
Photo courtesy of Grace Johnston
Photo courtesy of Kayla Boujja
Graphic courtesy of Abigail Epstein
Anya Mullen, Opinions Editor » thecampus.opinions@gmail.com
Arts internships
By Ann Oxford - Contributor
I’m an Arts Administration student who almost graduated last year. The only course I was missing was my external practicum. In the Arts Administration program, each student must do two internships, one internal at the university and one external to the university. The internal practicum is a rather unique concept, allowing students to get hands-on experience without leaving campus. Many students complete this practicum with the BU Arts Fest. Personally, I did mine at the Foreman Community Art Lab, and it was an excellent experience. The external practicum, however, is more of a traditional internship format. It can take place anywhere at any arts organization, as long as it supports your learning in arts administration.
There is no formal process for seeking internships in arts admin. While we have some support from professors, by and large, students
While this flexibility is amazing, the reality is less glamorous
are left to their own devices to secure a practicum. In my first week at Bishop’s, my professor said we could do our external practicum anywhere we wanted; we could visit a new country, head back home, wherever we wanted to do a practicum, and they would help us find one there. However, when the time came for me to search for a practicum, hoping to head back to Newfoundland, my professor’s contacts were almost all in Quebec - and not only that, but they were primarily francophone as well. I don’t say this to criticize my arts admin professor; she’s an
excellent professor and did support me in my search for a practicum as much as she could. But she’s one person, and her personal network only reaches so far.
When I finally contacted some organizations that I was excited to potentially work with, they were all small, non-profit, arts organizations that couldn’t afford to take on an intern. Everyone I talked to at the university told me not to agree to an unpaid internship. But the funding opportunity the Experiential Learning Office suggested was meant for larger internships and thus required the organization to contribute more money than if they paid me minimum wage for the hours required for my practicum, so it was rendered moot. And by the end of my search, I had to take whatever internship I could get, which is going to be unpaid, and I know several of my peers have been in the same position.
The university needs to have a formal process for finding organizations to apply to, pitching ourselves and our projects, and finding funding to support our internships. A regularly updated database of organizations and grants would be ideal, but anything would be better than starting from scratch like I did.
The Arts Administration program is what brought me to Bishop’s and I have absolutely loved it. It should be a point of pride for the university, but unfortunately it consistently lets students down by being understaffed and underresourced. The university claims a commitment to experiential learning and yet lacks any formal process for arts admin students to seek such opportunities, producing overstressed and underpaid students and interns. I worry about the future of the program if we don’t see a change soon.
A reflection on physical labour
By Josef Spence - Contributor
There is little as boring and monotonous as the hauling of another brick, the shimming of another door, the pounding of another nail. Indeed, physical labours are characterized by such tedium that one might be tempted to wonder how it is that they do not drive those
who partake in them to physical exhaustion and consequent mental dullness. Yet even though physical labour requires substantial amounts of physical exertion and often great physical risk, physical labourers are often relatively jovial people.
As university students, I suspect that it is unlikely that any of us are hoping to end up in jobs and careers that actively engage us in physical labour. I certainly do not. Yet, there is something distinguished in the work of physical labourers. They sacrifice much physically and mentally to provide our communities, towns, cities, and indeed our country, with fundamental and necessary services. However, I fear that there is often a lack of appreciation for the work that those whose jobs and careers entail engaging in physical labour. Oftentimes, I think the work they do is taken for granted by many of us, and that is only enhanced by the fact that we do not even consider ourselves in that work for the future.
Nevertheless, they ought to be greatly appreciated and made aware of it, for their work is quite literally
foundational and vital to the ongoing existence of our civilized society. For what would our society be if not for those who keep it clean, keep the electrical and other energy systems running, keep food coming to our tables, keep roads, bridges, and other infrastructure in working and workable conditions, keep order and an appealing aesthetic in the things we see throughout our lives, and so much else? It certainly would not allow for the relatively easy lives we all live, and I might even dare to say that it would make it hardly civilized at all, as people would unsystematically compete for food and other resources and would care not for any order or cleanliness in society without people dedicated to systematically ensuring that those things occur.
Indeed, that work is fundamental to the functioning of our own BU community. Buildings and Grounds workers keep our buildings clean, our campus roads, paths, and parking lots plowed, our campus plants trimmed and their beds orderly, and even attend to such basic things as keeping the grass cut. They also contribute to
decorating our campus around various holidays, helping us to better enjoy them, and are central in ensuring safety on campus by putting up and maintaining the lights, railings, and fences that help ensure our safety during events, and in general. In my experience, much of this work goes unnoticed and unappreciated — which is really made possible by the deftness with which all these tasks are completed by the workers: itself a feat worthy of note and praise — for rarely do I see them thanked for their labours.
I would propose then that, as we see fit, to thank our professors and the administrators who make our lives at university, and especially our education, possible, we ought also to thank those who engage in physical labours for that same end. By extension, we ought to appreciate and extend our gratitude to those in our lives generally, whether at home or university, or at work, who engage in the physical labours, allowing our communities and country to run. For what would our lives be like if we were left to do that work ourselves?
Graphic courthesy of Abigail Epstein
Kitzan, Sports Editor »
BU Club Hockey Soap Hockey Tournament
By Matt Abizaid - Contributor
Mark your calendars: the BU Club Hockey team will be hosting a fundraising event Sept. 1 on Optimist Field. The Soap Hockey Tournament will feature ten minute games and a prize with a value of $200 for the winning team. Registration costs $30 for a team of three people or $10 per person.
Soap Hockey can only be described as chaos. A large tarp gets turned into a massive slip and slide using dish soap and water to create a slick surface to glide along. Wipeouts are common and an entertaining part of watching the game. Similar to regular hockey there are nets at either end. However, you generally don’t have a goalie in Soap Hockey as it’s played with a ball and smaller
nets. Unlike in regular hockey, they generally do not use fullsized sticks and will opt for either mini sticks or floorball stickswhich closely resemble a smaller version of a hockey stick with a
pocket on the end of the blade for scooping the ball.
The tournament will feature a double-elimination format, allowing teams to lose their first
game and still compete for the championship. That said, winning the first game provides a more favorable matchup to follow en route to chasing the championship. The classic saying “it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish,” applies perfectly to this event.
Not only will this tournament be helping support the BU Club Hockey team and its journey toward the national tournament, it will also be a day full of laughs for those who come to watch. Whether you plan on playing or just coming to watch, a day on Optimist Field is a good way to get the new semester at Bishop’s started on the right foot. Make sure to check out the BU Club Hockey Instagram page and stay tuned there for updates on times and the schedule for the event. We hope to see you all there!
Valerie Bois to the Professional Woman’s Hockey League
By Owen Kitzan Sports Editor
After leading the Gaiters to their first ever U-Sports championship in women’s hockey history, coach Valerie Bois has decided to take her coaching expertise elsewhere. Looking for a new challenge, the former head coach at BU is moving over to the Professional Woman’s Hockey League where she will be an assistant coach for the New York Sirens. She will join Greg Fargo who serves as the head coach in New York, after the Sirens chose not to retain their assistant coaches from the season prior, opting instead to look into new people such as Valerie.
Valerie served as the head coach for two years behind the bench in Lennoxville - the most recent stop in her impressive coaching resumé. She also coached at the Cegep level for three years with the Patriotes de St-Laurent,
where she won a championship in 2015, while simultaneously coaching the Quebec Feminin team as well as the Quebec U-18 women’s team. She then took the step into coaching professionally as an assistant coach with the
Montreal Canadiennes in the CWHL. Sadly the league folded after her first season of coaching there which again left her looking for a new opportunity. In the 201920 season, Valerie got to engage with the Gaiters roster for the first
time, coming in as an assistant coach with Dominic Desmarais serving as the head coach at that time. She remained in that role until the 2023-24 season when she took over as head coach.
With a record of 2420-2 alongside a National Championship, Valerie’s presence behind the bench will certainly be missed by the Gaiters. Alexandra Boulanger will come in as the interim head coach for the team having spent the past two years as Valerie’s assistant coach. The move to the PWHL by Valerie will certainly help to put BU on the map for more people and help continue to grow the prestige that this program has begun to build as they already have a championship under their belts after only six years of U-Sports play. As Valerie continues her coaching journey and takes the next step in her path, bringing with her a proven knack for winning, we wish her nothing but success in this new endeavour and thank her for the time and leadership she contributed to the Gaiters program.
Photo courtesy of Jocelyn Riendeau
Graphic courtesy of BU Hockey
Owen Kitzan, Sports Editor » thecampus.sports@gmail.com
BU Golf Team takes on nationals
By Jack McGowan - Contributor
In early June, following the 2025 winter semester, while everyone else had already packed up and left for the year, the Gaiters golf team took a trip down to Kamloops, BC to compete at the Canadian University Golf Championship. The men’s team qualified for a second year in a row, while the women’s side was competing in the tournament for the first time in program history following an impressive campaign.
The tournament was hosted at Rivershore Golf Links in Kamloops over the span of a few days. The tournament operated under a threeround format, with teams earning the opportunity to qualify for a final round based on their performance in the first three. They also took overall scores of all members from each school to determine the team rankings while also listing the individual rankings of each golfer.
The men’s team was led by former male athlete of the year
Ryan Massicotte, placing eighteenth in the individual category, posting an impressive first three rounds and qualifying himself for the final round.
BU Crossword
By Katrien Vandermeulen - Contributor
Across
Shawn Robillard also joined him in the fourth round as he positioned himself in a tie for twenty-sixth place. This, however, would not be enough to
4. haul out your 80’s gear and snowpants for this event
7. home of the new plays and theatreactiv festivals
8. this arts building is also a refreshing drink to sip on at the lion
12. name of the CEGEP that shares a campus with bishop’s
Down
propel the team onwards as the team missed the cut for the fourth day and finished in twelfth place, capping off a very successful year.
On the women’s side, Avery Mack led the way with her play, joined by Bri Allan and Macy Louvet-Maik. While none of them placed individually to compete in the fourth round, they finished with a higher placement than the men, coming in eleventh. Despite having missed the cut, this year solidified them as an up and coming force and a triumphant season as they competed in this tournament for the first time.
This tournament marked the last time team members Ryan Massicotte and Will Coté would dawn the Bishop’s logo on the course with both of them graduating the past year. On the men’s side Shawn Robillard, Landen Harison, and Max Hay will return to the squad. On the women’s side, all three will be returning to play in the upcoming campaign. As next season is set to roll, it will be exciting to see what new heights the Gaiters golf program can achieve.
1. best place to hang out during homecoming if you’re looking to score free food
2. bishop’s largest and most fashionable student-led fundraiser, briefly
3. a brunch place to chase away your sunday scaries
5. raise a ____: bishop’s school song
6. your first 7 days of bleeding purple
9. a cheerful spot to hang out off-campus on a warm september day
10. the happy hour club’s meeting spot
11. better book a month in advance if you want to secure a study room in this building during exam season
Photo courtesy of Jessica Ford
Lauren Root, Features Editor »
The faces behind and around The Campus
continued from page 1
overseeing the Opinions section of The Campus in the 2025-2026 school year! As an avid lover of the outdoors and of writing, Anya is excited to join the team this year! If there are any thoughts or opinions you would like to share, please feel free to reach out to her to contribute: thecampus.opinions@gmail.com.
Jillian French will be reporting on all things arts and culture happening at Bishop’s and is looking forward to highlighting all the wonderful art forms that Bishop’s and its students have to offer.
Lauren Root will be overseeing the Features section of The Campus for 20252026, reporting on all events happening
at Bishop’s and around the Lennoxville community!
Owen Kitzan returns to the Sports column as the section editor and is looking forward to displaying the best that Gaiter athletics has to offer all year long. Between LUG, club teams, and varsity sports, the Gaiters are sure to have a record-breaking year once again!
Jayme Marteniuk will be overseeing all things business and economics related in the Business and Economics section for 2025-2026, helping Bishop’s students understand the complexities of the economy.
Perle Badohu Priso is a third-year international student and staff writer for the 2025-2026 school year. Perle is looking forward to reporting on exciting events
around campus, and sharing things that Bishop’s students can have to look forward to!
Jon Roach, a fifth-year sports studies major and psychology minor ,joins The Campus for the 2025-2026 school year as a staff writer. Jon is passionate about Gaiter athletics, enjoys creative writing, and is looking forward to sharing his experiences around campus.
Emilie Vadeboncoeur will be the director of marketing and communications this year and is looking forward to spreading the word about The Campus developments and stories.
Pravan Buchineni is the 2025-2026 photographer, who is excited about
Alumni importance around Bishop’s
By Jean-Simon Rhéaume Contributor
Like many other universities in Canada, Bishop’s has a long history of proud traditions and important alumni. One thing
for Bishop’s to continue to flourish. Not only did an enormous number of those alumni contribute to the development of our culture, values, and identity during their time on campus, but they are still forging it as of today through their continuous support.
We get to continue their dreams and success through our greatness and school pride, just as they once did when they walked the pathways of Bishop’s before us.
that sets Bishop’s apart from the rest is the number of barriers it’s had to break through to remain a competitive institution and to attract students to study here. The main reason for its challenges is that it’s an anglophone university situated in the heart of a very francophone region.
But how can Bishop’s do so well if that’s the case? How can its reputation, popularity, and influence keep up with larger universities all over the province of Quebec? The answer is simple: alumni. The resilience and creativity put into place by all the former students who came before us laid the groundwork
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Rianna Ostrosser thecampus.editor@gmail.com
SENIOR COPY EDITOR
Olivia Norby thecampus.copyeditor@gmail.com
JUNIOR COPY EDITOR
Eryn Costello
thecampus.juniorcopyeditor@gmail.com
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
Frederic Grenon thecampus.business@gmail.com
Bishop’s has an extremely active alumni presence, always hosting events and reunions across the country. No matter where in Canada you are, odds are you’ll be able to find a Bishop’s alumnus somewhere. This is a fact that never ceases to amaze me, considering how small Bishop’s student population is. While every school believes that its alumni are amazing, Bishop’s exemplifies this fact – especially since many administrative staff are alumni themselves.
Some alumni publicly represent Bishop’s as a school, while others support students financially. And, not
LAYOUT EDITOR
Abigail Epstein thecampus.layout@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
PHOTOGRAPHER
photographing some of the most interesting events that Bishop’s has to offer!
Frederic Grenon is a third-year finance and economics major who will be taking over as Director of Finance The Campus’ 2025-2026 school year! Frederic is also a hockey player here at Bishop’s!
Kai Luginbuhl will be the associate editor of The Campus for the 2025-2026 school year and is excited for this role and the contributions he can make to the newspaper!
to be forgotten are the loyal alumni who love to cheer on Gaiter athletics and return to Lennoxville every homecoming. As students, we may not realize what impact we have on our beloved institution – whether it be behind the scenes or in administration roles - but all their contributions shape the Bishop’s experience daily. Whether it is in the form of funding or support for our varsity athletics
programs, for campus facilities, or for our cultural affairs, our alumni will never stop pushing us further into excellence.
They’re far more than just a relic of the past; they’re us, and soon we will be them. They are the ones that make this school incredible and unique. Alumnus’ instrumental role in Bishop’s. success should never be forgotten or go unacknowledged by students.
NEWS EDITOR
Elysia Christodoulopoulos thecampus.news@gmail.com
OPINIONS EDITOR
Anya Mullen
thecampus.opinions@gmail.com
FEATURES EDITOR
Pranav Buchineni thecampus.photographers@gmail.com
GRAPHICS EDITOR
TBD
Kai Luginbuhl thecampus.associateeditor@gmail.com graphicseditor.thecampus@gmail.com
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Emilie Vadeboncoeur
thecampus.smc@gmail.com
Lauren Root
thecampus.features@gmail.com
SPORTS EDITOR
Owen Kitzan
thecampus.sports@gmail.com
ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR
thecampus.artsculture@gmail.com
Jayme Marteniuk
thecampus.businesseditor@gmail.com
STAFF WRITERS
Perle Badohu Priso & Jon Roach
Matt Abizaid
Kayla Boujja
Jon de Gooyer
Michael Geary
Grae Johnston
Jillian French ECONOMICS
THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS:
Sara Scafuro
Josef Spence
Katrien Vandermeulen
Jack McGowan
Ann Oxford
Jean-Simon Rhéaume
Tallula Russell
Photo courtesy of the Alumni Relations and Philanthropy Office website
Graphic courtesy of Adam Young
By Jon Roach- Staff Writer
Asthe summer sun sets on the academic break, a new year means an abundance of fresh opportunities to grow, learn, and BU. Whether it’s your first semester or your last, it’s important to make the most of what’s to come of the 2025-26 academic year, and here, at The Campus, we’d like to help you achieve whatever that means to you with 3 simple tips!
Tip One: Outline Clear Goals
University is a critical experience for learning both inside and outside the classroom, and being successful at this time in your life is about learning what success means to you. It is vital at this time to develop good habits and skills that will benefit you in your future and become savvy at both setting and achieving goals. These skills are invaluable for any future domain you may be pursuing. By establishing clear and attainable goals for the year, like striving for a certain GPA or doing activities with friends one extra night a week, you will set the course for steady selfimprovement throughout the year. Setting small goals as simple as waking up an hour earlier, or eating healthier on weekends, are slight improvements that will snowball
as you stay consistent in your pursuit of them into even greater benefits. Goals create a forward outlook that will help you feel grounded where you are, provide you with a clear sense of direction, and the drive to getyourself there.
Tip Two: Organize a Routine and Schedule
Three Tips for a Successful Transition Back to School Bishop’s Bike Month Recap
By Anya Mullen Opinions Editor
Bishop’s University has a beautiful campus, with brick buildings and charming purple chairs dotting the lawns. And the amazing thing is that the beauty of the area extends far past its campus. Quebec’s Eastern Townships are renowned for their natural beauty, especially in the fall when the leaves begin to change. With nine varsity sports teams at a school of less than 3,000 students, and many international students who want to experience Canada’s natural landscape, it is no surprise that a large percentage of the student population is motivated to stay fit, explore, and get outside.
Every May, the university promotes one way of getting outside and exploring the area: getting on a bike. Bike month at Bishop’s is the month of May, when the sun is coming out and everyone is finished with their winter semester exams. This past May, Bike Month included a free morning coffee for cyclists, fairs and events, a
documentary screening, and a free dropin bicycle tune-up. It also included some exciting announcements for cyclists and those interested in saving a gas fare and starting to commute to work or school by bike. New this year is an electric bike loan system for Bishop’s University. This was implemented to encourage staff to commute by bike, without having to invest in their own e-bike before they know what they are getting into. According to the university’s website, a secure bike shelter has been built on campus and will be available starting in September for only $30 per semester for a membership. There are also two bike repair stations on campus, one in front of the Nicolls Building and one behind Paterson Hall. The Paterson Hall front desk is where pump and bike tools can be found if needed. Bishop’s students, faculty, and staff alike can also borrow purple bikes from the Paterson Hall front desk, through the Gaiter Gears program, which has been in place since 2015 to allow anyone interested to explore Lennoxville and beyond by bike, for free.
Once they have borrowed a bike,
If your goals are the foundation of a house, then your routine and schedule are like the contractors who build the rest of it. While it may look like they’re screwing around whenever you pass by, the house looks more finished every day until you’re thinking about calling those guys for your next project. Developing
routines that align with a schedule will maximize the time you spend working towards your goals throughout the year. For example, allocating 2 nights a week to studying at the library will increase your chances of following through on a goal of having better overall grades. Whether you’re striving for academics or rediscovering your wild side on the weekend, sticking to a schedule will raise overall productivity and give you more time to experience university however you choose.
Tip Three: Embrace the Community
My final tip: indulge in what your incredible university and the surrounding region have to offer! You only get so many years to live with your friends and decide what to do with your life; it’s important to make the most of it while you’re here and smell the roses once in a while. Enjoy the fall colours around campus, explore the beautiful Eastern Townships, reconnect with old friends, and make new friends in your classes to help you along the way, even if that’s just asking to borrow a pencil. These memories and connections will stick with you for the rest of your life, moulding you into the person you are and the person you’re meant to be.
Bishop’s students, faculty, or staff have the entire Eastern Townships at their disposal. They can explore La Route Verte, a bike path that connects Bishop’s University to downtown Sherbrooke, whose map can be found on the university website. There are maps of all the bike paths in the area linked on the same website. There is even
a trail from Bishop’s that goes all the way to North Hatley, whose lake and charming shops provide a satisfying end to a bike ride.
Whether with a few friends or with a Bishop’s Outdoors Club event, there is no shortage of bike trails for new and old Bishop’s students and staff to enjoy.
Photo courtesy of Jon Roach
Photo courtesy of Bishop’s University
ARTS & CULTURE
A Midsummer Night’s Dream continues the drive for local theatre
By Michael Geary Contributor
The North Hatley Theatre Troupe returns to Bishop’s University’s Turner Studio this August with their second production, William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Running from Aug. 21 to 24, the play continues the Troupe’s affinity for comedy through dynamic movement, chaotic clashes, and some of the wittiest partitions written by the Bard of Avon. The rehearsals for the Troupe began humbly on July 25, making use of the living rooms of some of the actors until moving into Turner at the beginning of August. In partnership with the Bishop’s Drama and Eclectia Productions, the show features many familiar faces from the local theatre scene, as well as some new blood fresh to the Bishop’s stage.
This year’s NHTT production reimagines the traditional Athenian world and pushes it forward in time to the Industrial Revolution, a setting filled with regal notes and changing norms. As this year’s director, alongside Kasimir MacDougall’s lighting and set design, as well as Journey Bardati’s costume design, we wanted to present this show in a period where the traditions of the aristocracy and of the labourer were shifting. This adds subtle stakes to the Mechanicals as their way of life is being left behind. Yet to contrast this, this presentation of Shakespeare’s classic, features as much magic as could be mustered in realizing the fairy-enchanted forest, using bright colours
and intricate designs to bring each and every fairy to life.
The show marks my directorial debut. As a student, the last month has tested all that I have learned at Bishop’s, from technical knowledge to gathered experience as an actor dealing with many different directors. The Troupe was born thanks to student and teacher efforts at Bishop’s last year, and in taking its helm as artistic director and the show’s director, I wanted to offer a performance that not only showcased what Bishop’s Drama teaches and encourages, but also that gives back to the community that helped make it a reality. A Midsummer Night’s Dream was one of the most requested plays when we spoke to community members, and we hope it delivers the thrill they desired.
While the vast majority of the Troupe is made up of Bishop’s students and alumni the audience of Lennoxville would recognize a couple who have joined this year to make their debut at Bishop’s. “I guess to start, this has been a turning point in my life,” says Sebastian Mena Andrade, who comes from Mississauga, Ontario to join the NHTT cast for the first time. He expressed a want to reconnect with his passions “before I step into my career as a game designer… theatre was one of the biggest [passions]. I never thought I’d have the opportunity to audition again.” Taking up the roles of both Theseus and Oberon, he claims to feel focused above all. “I am very proud of my fellow cast members and the technical team. Seeing the passion around me has helped me push
myself to create the greatest show that I can.”
With the cast and crew gearing up for opening night, the North Hatley Theatre Troupe is glad that the mission to bring live and independent theatre back to the
Series review: take a trip to Twin Peaks
By Jon de Gooyer Contributor
Being a student comes with a lot of downtime. I expect you have been binging all the usual suspects: Seven Rents, Breaking Bad, and that one about that girls’ soccer team, I guess. But I implore you to go back a little to the early 90s to be welcomed into the charming, sleepy town of Twin Peaks. The show begins with the murder of homecoming queen Laura Palmer, but you will quickly become sidetracked by coffee scenes, awkward humour, and the never-ending affairs of the town’s quirky locals. Most will start it assuming it’s a gritty mystery show, but will soon realise it’s essentially an elevated soap opera for pretentious film students (like myself); a program which can somehow balance comedy scenes with bumbling police deputy Andy and his equally quirky girlfriend Lucy with haunting and eerie scenes from Palmer’s perspective.
The series stars Special Agent Dale Cooper, the most likable fed ever written. He and Sheriff Harry’s bromance helps you through the show’s darker storylines. There are few characters as likable as Cooper, with his idiosyncratic talent and unmatched optimism making him a shining ray of positivity, which the world of Twin Peaks really needs, as every citizen is intertwined in a convoluted web of adultery on the same level as the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (just with less soda). Cooper’s general attitude is extremely
inspirational, using his keen intuition and odd dreams to draw conclusions. This is why I have spent most of my academic career sleeping, so if you catch me snoozing in class, just know I’m actually culminating answers within my mind palace.
The storyline also explores the show’s murder victim, Laura Palmer, diving deep into her relationships and secret life. Synchronized with the murder investigation is a second investigation led by her closest friends, Donna, and a talking forehead named James. In her small town, Laura’s death affects just about everyone, from her grieving parents Leeland and Sarah, to the town’s local kooky therapist, and even the corrupt yet surprisingly funny millionaire Ben Horne and his equally corrupt brother Jerry — the girl’s death inspiring Ben and Jerry to release their best ice cream, Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Dough. Also, there’s the best character: Pete Martell. He’s much more than a fisherman, husband, and professional chessplayer; his dry delivery makes him a comedian in my eyesespecially when he comes to tell Dale and Harry of the shocking news that there was a fish in the percolator. That’s an important detail of the show, I assure you.
And after you finish the mind-warping and frustrating ending, you can try to find answers in the show’s feature film prequel, Fire Walk with Me, but all you’ll be left with are questions … and probably some trauma. A little heads up:
Townships is going strong. Between the growing bond with Bishop’s and the community’s support, the Troupe hopes to continue delivering performances year after year.
maybe don’t watch that one if you don’t want to cry yourself to sleep. Afterward, you can watch the sequel series: The Return. Doing so will somehow give you even more questions that can only be answered by freaks on the internet. Of course, I’d like to write my gratitude towards
the show’s co-creator, the legendary David Lynch, who unfortunately passed away this year. I’m writing this in memory of all his visionary and admittedly bizarre ideas. So in his honour, please watch Twin Peaks and try your best to pretend to know what’s going on.
Jillian French, Arts & Culture Editor » thecampus.artsculture@gmail.com
Graphic courtesy of Abigail Epstein
Photo courtesy of Adam Medland
Venus enters Leo
ARTS & CULTURE
Horoscope: Sinners is the best blockbuster film of 2025
By Abigail Epstein Layout Editor
In the nascent Virgo season, as summer gets squeezed to its last drops in August, the planet of love and beauty transitions to the stage, bathed in the radiant light of Leo – its home for four upcoming weeks.
Aries: As Venus in Leo stirs the action in your heart, it does good to pause before diving into dramatics. Grand gestures are still grand if they’re given forethought. Stoke your passion projects before you fan a lightning flame.
Taurus: Your innate appreciation for the beautiful is heightened, particularly in your desire for a comfortable home. Take care of your surroundings, and be gentle with your roommates when they leave mugs on the counter. Give your love to a new houseplant.
Gemini: If you’ve been holding on by the skin of your teeth, it may serve your heart to let go a little. Communication has challenged you; as the clouds part with Venus and Leo, it is easy to coat your tongue in honey. Savour it. Remember the importance of sincerity.
Cancer: What you perceive to be your vulnerabilities are to be celebrated this season. Your hesitance to run to the fire allows your warmth to burn, attracting appreciation from similarly-minded people. Be proud of yourself. See how all of you fit in a perfect picture.
Leo: Blaze on, blazon. You are at home on your throne in the centre of the universe, drawing new connections toward you. Let the luminescence of this moment hit you upright. Remember your limitations. Relax the need to fix your posture.
Virgo: Be sweet with solitude for a while, as you give love to your inner self. While there is digging to be done to find where your roots lie, an even finer assessment is necessary to recognize what waters them. Be curious in new landscapes.
Libra: Your ability to balance is adorned by Venus in Leo’s sphere. Be ready for the consequences of your charm. You may be compelled to hold a spectrum in your heart. Be careful not to stray too far from your centre.
Scorpio: This is a moment to show off. Make use of the aesthetes of your talents; make sure others are paying attention when you cherry-pick your preferences. You have a taste that is worth experiencing.
Sagittarius: Longing takes you places, no matter what some say otherwise. It’s a sign of what you care about and how the path will open under your steps. Challenge yourself, but not with anxiety. Know that something that feels wrong brings you closer to what feels right. You’ll know the leaps to take; if you don’t know, you don’t.
Capricorn: Venus in Leo may clash with your ordinary sensibilities, but this also gives you the opportunity to consider the unique characters of romance. Forgive misunderstandings with generosity. Accept a rose at sunset, and refrain from ridiculing ‘he loves me not…’
Aquarius: This is a time to re-ignite the spark in your relationships of all kinds. Spend time asking meaningful questions. Hold space for answers that enrich, as well as those that surprise. Celebrate new ways to love one another.
Pisces: Sometimes it’s in the small things. Use blueberry honey, wear illustrations, and whisper your favourite words while in line. A routine brimming with beauty overflows into love, which falls out of your basket and into the world. And it needn’t be elaborate.
For you to take with as many grains of salt as there are stars in the sky.
SBy Tallula Russell Contributor
inners is the best blockbuster film of 2025. Sinners is as much about black music and its exploitation as it is about vampires and blackness in the Jim Crow South, as one is a metaphor for the other. Sinners is a beautiful piece of art, with fantastic acting, excellent music, astounding practical and special effects, and an incredible story. Sinners is the movie of the year, hands down.
Former Chicago Outfit twins Smoke and Stack as they try to open a joke joint for the black community of their hometown in Mississippi. Joined by their younger cousin Sammie, Smoke’s estranged wife Annie, blues pianist Delta Slim, and shopkeepers Grace and Bo Chow, they open “Club Juke” for one night in October 1932 before things get derailed by three weird white people, led by the vampire Remmick.
Every single performance is excellent! Michael B Jordan’s performance as the SmokeStack twins is absolutely seamless, especially when he’s playing against himself in the same scene. They are both such different characters that once you figure out who is who based on the colour palette, it’s impossible to confuse the two, even just based on how they stand. Miles Caton plays Sammie in his first acting role in which he also learned to play the blues guitar. His performance, especially during the music scenes, is incredible. Wunmi Mosaku as Annie and Delroy Lindo as Delta Slim are also standout performances.
Sinners is principally about Blues music. The music Sammie plays is so powerful that it attracts spirits of the dead, including vampires. This music, the expression and experience of culture and community, is predicated on by the vampires, who are white. Beyond that, though, is the fact that Remmick is of Irish descent. In the 1930s, Irish people weren’t Black by any means, but they weren’t considered White by the people in power. Remmick’s Irishness complicates the basic (and accurate!) narrative of whiteness devouring blackness for its power and authenticity by bringing in themes of shared colonialism through means of Christianity.
The Irish were once an independent people before the English came along and used Christianity as a means of conquering the island and colonizing its people. The colonialism used on Africans was of a much larger scale and included chattel slavery in the “New World”, but the use of Christianity as a way to stop an oppressed people from having indigenous beliefs and practices in order to destroy their spirits and them as a people is the same. Christian Colonialism destroyed Remmick’s ability to engage in his own cultural practices in a way that allowed him to connect to his past. This is what made him a “Vampire”, what made him, a white person, want to steal the power of the culture of Black people.
The themes of this movie are shown explicitly through the music, and what music it is! The songs performed in this movie are fantastic, as is the score itself. They are the crowning achievements of the film and its strongest element, which is saying something considering everything else this movie has going for it. Sinners is excellent, and if you haven’t seen it yet, it’s available on streaming on Crave and Amazon now.
Jillian French, Arts & Culture Editor » thecampus.artsculture@gmail.com
Graphic courtesy of Abigail Epstein
ECONOMICS & BUSINESS
Jayme Marteniuk, Economics & Business Editor » thecampus.businesseditor@gmail.com
How the Air Canada strike affects international & out-of-province students
By Sara Scafuro Contributor
As the summer winds down and Bishop’s students prepare to return to Lennoxville for the fall semester, an unexpected disruption has raised serious concerns: the Air Canada strike. There is still some doubt over the dependability of travel after the over 10,000 flight attendants’ walkout, which momentarily stopped operations until a tentative agreement was reached. For a university with a student body that includes a large percentage of international and out-ofprovince students, the timing could not be more critical. While the strike itself lasted only a few days, its economic and logistical consequences may fall into September, just as students need to be back on campus.
The biggest concern is the potential backlog in travel. Even though Air Canada has resumed flights, the airline is still working to stabilize its operations. It is anticipated that overbooked flights, rescheduling delays, and flight cancellations may cause network-wide disruptions for days or even weeks. For students depending on Air Canada to connect to Montreal or Quebec City before making their way to Lennoxville, this creates the risk of arriving late for the first week of classes. Orientation activities, and events are all designed around the
assumption that students will arrive on time.
Financial factors also play a huge role. Air Canada has already mentioned that the wage agreement will increase labor costs significantly. Analysts estimate roughly $140 million annually. While this addresses worker concerns, the economic reality is that the airline will likely pass some of these costs along to consumers in the form of higher ticket prices.
Students traveling from out of province, and particularly those coming from overseas, may see travel expenses rise not only this fall but also in the semesters to come. For families already facing tuition, housing, and living costs, higher airfare adds yet another burden to the total cost of a Bishop’s education.
The uncertainty of travel also has broader academic and social implications. International students, who often juggle complex visa requirements and long-haul travel plans, may find it especially challenging to rebook flights if delays persist into late August. Missing even the first few days of the semester can have consequences: catching up on missed lectures, falling behind on early assignments, or losing valuable time to integrate socially into the campus community. For many students, September sets the tone for the rest of the academic year, having easy access to Lennoxville is essential.
Looking forward, the key challenge for students will be preparing for uncertainty. Many are already considering other options, whether that means flying with other companies, booking earlier to avoid last-minute surges in prices, or arranging flexible travel that allows for changes without steep penalties. For the university, the strike raises the question of how to best support students navigating these complications.
In the end, while the strike may technically be over, its consequences are still unfolding.
For international and out-of-province students at Bishop’s University, the timing of the labor dispute serves as a reminder of how interconnected education is with economic factors. The beginning of a new academic year depends on the ability of airlines to deliver students to campus on time. As September approaches, all eyes will be on whether Air Canada can restore stability quickly enough to ensure that Bishop’s students start their year as planned.
Is studying abroad financially worth it for Bishop’s students?
By Jayme Marteniuk Economics & Business Editor
As Bishop’s students, many of us dream of studying abroad, exploring a new culture, traveling on weekends, and stepping outside of Lennoxville’s small-town bubble. But beyond the Instagramworthy experiences, there’s an important question: Is studying abroad a good investment? After spending a semester in Malta, I can confidently say yes, though it comes with real and sometimes expensive costs that students should weigh carefully before making this decision.
One of the most significant aspects of studying abroad is the cost of living. In Lennoxville, students are used to modest rent, cheaper groceries, and minimal transportation expenses. Malta, by contrast, came with some trade-offs. Rent for student housing was noticeably higher, especially in popular areas close to the sea, and groceries were also more expensive since much of it was imported to the small island. On top of that, the Canadian dollar to euro exchange rate, plus exchange rate fees, made daily spending feel heavier on the wallet.
Transportation, however, was surprisingly affordable. A four-month bus pass cost only 20 euros, equivalent to just over $30 CAD, and was far less than owning or maintaining a car back home, and ride-sharing was inexpensive as well.
While weekend trips to Italy or Portugal added to my budget, those experiences were part of the value of studying abroad. Ultimately, my overall living expenses were higher in Malta than in Lennoxville, but those additional costs reflected opportunities I simply wouldn’t have had in the Eastern Townships.
From an economics perspective, studying abroad isn’t just about shortterm expenses; it’s about the longterm return on investment (ROI). Employers increasingly value graduates who demonstrate global awareness, adaptability and cross-cultural communication skills. My semester in Malta gave me daily practices in these areas. I had to navigate a new education system, adapt to new cultural norms, and collaborate with international classmates. These soft skills like problem-solving, resilience, and adaptability, are difficult to teach in a classroom but stand out on a résumé. They show employers that you can thrive in new and uncertain environments, an increasingly valuable trait for young graduates entering the workforce.
Of course, studying abroad requires upfront investment. Tuition, housing, and flights all add up quickly, and for many students, the price tag can feel daunting. But Bishop’s students have access to support that makes this opportunity more attainable. Through the International Mobility Program at Bishop’s, most students receive a $3,000 scholarship
funded by the Ministère de l’Éducation supérieur du Québec, along with other government grants that can be applied for. These scholarships can significantly reduce the financial burden, making studying abroad more accessible than many might expect. With careful planning and early applications, students can offset a lot of the cost.
For students considering studying abroad, my advice is to treat it as both an adventure and an investment. Budgeting is crucial, not just for rent and groceries, but also for travel, insurance, and currency fluctuations. Start applying for scholarships early, and this effort can translate into thousands of dollars in support later on. Most importantly, don’t
let the upfront costs deter you. The personal and professional growth you gain abroad is difficult to measure in dollars alone. In Malta, I developed independence, built international friendships, and gained a global perspective that I know will help shape my future career.
Studying abroad is more than just a semester away; it’s an investment in your future. While living costs abroad may be higher than staying in Lennoxville, the long-term return in skills, employability, and career opportunities far outweighs the financial sacrifice. For Bishop’s students considering Malta or elsewhere, the message is clear: if you can make it work financially, the ROI, both economically and personally, is well worth it.
Photo courtesy of Jayme Marteniuk
Graphic courtesy of Abigail Epstein