Following online learning frustrations, U of M announces quill and ink assignment format

Stephen Stealberg, staff

Following University of Manitoba Student Association (UMSA) surveys finding that a majority of students are fed up with Zoom-based courses and online learning in general, the university has announced it will be bringing back “medieval teaching methods,” and will now require all coursework to be completed in quill and ink.

Beginning in Fall 2023, U of M will now require quill and black ink in their official back-to-school supply list at the beginning of each term.

Many students in the survey mentioned a desire to return to “simpler” times before the age of social media and technology.

In addition, the university has announced that black ink and quills will be the only acceptable writing utensils for exams. To help students with costs, the university will provide official U of M ink at exam time.

The ink is also available in the U of M Bookstore. It is the student’s responsibility to provide their own quill. Ergonomic gripped quills and left-handed friendly quills will also be sold at the bookstore.

UMSA President Don Buchanan is confident the switch from technology to the medieval tradition of ink and quill will satisfy the itch students have had to “shift learning away from their screens and into the real world.”

“I think it’s best to start practicing your handwriting skills during the summer break and figuring out what quill works best” said Buchanan.

Each faculty at U of M will have unique requirements for their use of quill and ink.

UMSA businesses will provide a quill and ink for student use for those in a pinch.

The association has also introduced a payment plan for those exhibiting financial need. Vice-president finance and operations Alexander Lyon said that students can get their own quills and ink for “a mere six-pence per month” over the course of the semester.

Above all, student in the history department Marie-Antoinette Habsburg said that the shift can’t be done without a group effort.

“Collaboration between faculty, staff and students will be needed to make a smooth transition from Zoom to quill and ink,” she said.

Habsburg is one of the students pushing for the move towards quill and ink. U of M will continue to take input from students with discreet surveys throughout the winter term, including students’ opinions on the school’s new moat and whether the university should introduce stockades as a punishment for academic misconduct.

April ivorybuffalo@themanitoban.com