The Queen's Journal, Vol. 153, Issue 12

the journal

Distressed man breaks into Waldron Tower leaving students shaken

Residents demand stronger security after early morning break-in

Emmet Paradis

First Year Intern

A troubled individual in a ‘mental health crisis’ broke into Waldron Tower early on Oct. 25, shattering glass doors and leaving blood throughout the building before being apprehended by police.

Journal reporter living in Waldron heard yelling and slamming around 5 a.m. before calling police at 5:28 a.m., when the sound of breaking glass echoed from the dorms’ open windows.

Within minutes, a police cruiser arrived, followed by multiple fire trucks, ambulances and Campus Security and Emergency Services.

“Officers arrived on scene at approximately 5:35 a.m. and located a male in a mental health crisis,” Kingston Police wrote in a statement to The Journal. “The male had used his hands to break numerous windows on the first and second floors of Waldron Tower.”

Police took the man into custody safely before he was transported to Kingston General Hospital for psychiatric evaluation.

“A parallel criminal investigation is also underway,” Kingston Police said in their statement. “The status of the charges will depend on the total damages caused.” Police stated there’s is no ongoing risk to the public.

Amir Aboudaoud, ArtSci ’29, witnessed the incident from a residence common room with another resident. “It was 5 a.m., I heard multiple large bangs,”

Aboudaoud said in an interview with The Journal. “Seconds later, screams were heard of what seemed like a man screaming, ‘Help me.’”

the hospital.

The following evening, Residence Life Services held a meeting with residents to address the incident and ongoing safety concerns.

additional cleaning and inspections the following week.

In a statement to The Journal, the University confirmed that security measures at Waldron, including double-locked glass doors, electronic key access, exterior lighting, blue lights in laundry rooms and 24/7 campus patrols, are consistent with other residences on campus. The University’s reviewing additional safety enhancements, such as reinforcing entrance glass and restricting stairwell and floor access.

He said the man sprinted down the hall, yelling and slamming his hands on the walls. “I locked myself in the laundry room and immediately let the Waldron group chat know there’s something going on,” he said.

Videos shared by students showed the broken windows, and the man later sneaking around the ledges by the second-floor windows.

Aboudaoud said when he walked out later, he saw shattered glass and blood on multiple surfaces. “The second-floor bathroom had blood smeared all over the walls,” he said. “Straight out of a horror movie.”

Emergency crews remained on scene until around 7 a.m. as they worked to remove the individual from the ledge and transport him to

Tom Gallini, Assistant Director (Residence Life and Services), said, at the meeting, that “events like this are very, very rare on campus.”

Students expressed frustration aboutwith the ease of access to the building and the lack of security present.

Gallini said a full review is underway. “We [Residence Life and Services] try to strike a balance between the place being secure and also people being able to go about their lives,” he said. “This isn’t the end of the conversation.”

In an e-mail to Waldron residents, Residence Life said the individual wasn’t affiliated with the University.

Staff and contractors completed biohazard cleanup and window repairs within hours, followed by

“We [Queen’s] recognize this incident was distressing, and we regret the impact it has had on students in Waldron. Queen’s is committed to maintaining a safe and supportive living environment for all students. As we continue to review and enhance safety measures, we will provide updates and communications to students in Waldron,” the University wrote.

Gallini said Residence Life Services will work with Campus Security and Emergency Services to explore potential security enhancements, including reinforcing the front doors and restricting floor access. The incident will also be reviewed by the Housing and Ancillary Services Safety and Security Committee.

Mental health supports, including drop-in counselling and same-day therapy appointments, have been made available to affected residents.

DAN School left in turmoil due to budget cuts

‘I don’t want to work for people who don’t appreciate me, and who don’t see the value in a good music education,’ former professor says

Lilly Meechan &

Yael Rusonik

Assistant

News Editors

DAN School of Drama and Music students say recent cuts have undermined their education and left the school in crisis.

On June 16, students were informed by Director and Associate Professor Julia Brook of new changes coming to their programs. Cuts to the DAN School have resulted in the amount of applied music lessons —one-on-one lessons with professors—being reduced by half or converted to group formats, according to DAN School student council presidents.

Some students are reporting that, with this reduction in individual lessons, the music program at Queen’s no longer meets industry and educational standards. The cuts have also resulted in the departure of multiple professors and key staff members, with some being let go and some making the choice to depart.

The 2025-26 Co-Presidents of the DAN School student council, Sophie Wilson, ArtSci ’26, and Ella Hammett, ArtSci ’27, voiced their concern over recent changes made to programming in an interview with The Journal

The co-presidents explained that there have been cuts made to the number of applied lessons offered. They said that the University’s offering half as many applied lessons, with many being in groups rather than being individual, despite promises made to students when they enrolled at the school. “We [performing arts students] were promised a level of training when we accepted our offers,” said Hammett. “And they’ve (Queen’s) just taken it away halfway through our degrees.” Wilson said.

Despite a statement from Queen’s affirming to DAN students

its commitment to “artistic excellence,” the DAN school co-presidents argued that some students have either already transferred or are considering leaving the school, citing a lack of transparency, consultation, and the erosion of promised education standards.

The University didn’t provide a comment to The Journal on how many students have enrolled in or transferred out of The DAN School in recent years, despite specific questioning.

Hammett shared that, in her perspective, this cutback

Jonathan Reilly Senior News Editor

This year’s homecoming and fauxcoming (FOCO) saw a more relaxed party scene, with fines down over 30 per cent from 2024.

The University District Safety Initiative (UDSI), a period of time where there’s increased police presence in the University District and greater fines for nuisance parties and noise, is set to conclude on Nov. 2, after being active since Oct. 17. According to a media release from the Kingston Police, in total, 49 tickets were issued over the homecoming and FOCO weekends, continuing a downward trend with 73 tickets in 2024 and 135 in 2023.

Homecoming weekend saw more fines handed out compared to FOCO, with 11 tickets distributed in compliance with the Liquor License Act (LLA) and 17 for the Highway Traffic Act (HTA). In comparison, FOCO weekend saw 17 tickets related to the LLA and 4 for the HTA. The total value of these fines wasn’t disclosed.

There was also an arrest for an impaired driving incident and a separate arrest for a dangerous driving incident.

By-law enforcement saw their own penalties distributed. While no bylaw enforcement fines were handed out over homecoming, FOCO led to 10 Administrative Monetary Penalties being distributed, and three Nuisance Party tickets. In total, $8,000 fines were handed out, according to a spokesperson for the City of Kingston.

Over the two-party weekends, 539 parking tickets were distributed, with five cars being towed.

represents a more fundamental breakdown that could be detrimental to students’ postgraduation outcomes.

“Applied music lessons are standard at every university-level music program. Once a week. One-on-one. That’s the minimum,” Hammett said.

inspired my quest to understand

NEWS

Over fifteen volunteers came together to collect seven bags worth of garbage

Yael Rusonik Assistant News Editor

Some students took a break from partying and took to cleaning instead.

The Queen’s Conference on Ocean Sustainability (QCOS) hosted its annual cleanup of the pier shoreline on Oct. 26. QCOS is an on-campus club dedicated to promoting environmental conservation and sustainability, especially in relation to aquatic ecosystems. Over 15 students, both club members and non-members alike, came together to collect seven large bags of garbage, with Kingston locals joining in the effort as the event went on.

Co-Presidents of QCOS—Ava Shivgulam, ArtSci ’27, and Shaneen Khan, ArtSci ’26—explained in an interview with The Journal that big partying weekends like fauxcoming, also known as FOCO, can result in massive amounts of littering by the pier.

Students step up to clean up the pier after FOCO partying

“There’s a lot of cans on the ground and garbage,” Shivgulam said. “Queen’s is already a large population, but a lot of people also come from other universities to party here, so it gets a little dirty down at the beach.”

During the cleanup, volunteers foundcans, papers, bottle caps and even clothes. While the co-presidents acknowledge that some littering during party weekends is inevitable, they believe the University should be doing more during these weekends to mitigate the amount of garbage.

street party, there’s a garbage bin along the streets. Don’t

litter, recycle!”

“Queen’s should take initiative in placing more garbage bins and public recycling bins around the community, as well as along the pier,” Shaheen said. “And then also just making people aware that, if you’re going to be at the

Senate kickS off Second meeting and tackleS changeS to Bicentennial ViSion

Bicentennial Vision and AI dominate debate topics

Lilly Meechan

Assistant News Editor

Provost Matthew Evans signals a positive stance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in academia.

The University Senate held its second meeting of the academic year on Oct. 30 at 2:30 p.m. and concluded by 4 p.m. The meeting was held in person at Robert Sutherland Hall, and members could also join online via Zoom.

Principal Patrick Deane chaired the meeting and engaged in discussions with senate members about the Bicentennial Vision, the Principal Report, AI in academic policy, and several other orders of business outlined in the agenda.

Reports

The meeting officially kicked off with the Principal Report, shared by Deane. He first discussed

Prime Minister Carney’s recent speech on the upcoming Federal Budget at the University of Ottawa, noting it signalled a focus on skills, innovation and higher education.

In Evans’ Provost Report, he detailed his recent trip to China and his international engagement efforts. He noted that exchange programs and recruitment were one of the few ways the school could make extra revenue. He also shared that he had signed a new exchange program agreement while travelling.

“We signed a double degree program and an exchange agreement between Smith School of Business and Hong Kong

University of Science and Technology,” Evans said.

Bicentennial Vision

The meeting’s informal session centred around a consultation on the Bicentennial Vision, Queen’s strategic direction to 2041. Deane described the draft as a product of months of internal consultation that began last January, and said the two key themes of the report were “impact and leadership.”

After his brief remarks about the Bicentennial Vision, he opened the floor to discussion, and several members raised concerns and questions about specific language in the report, its practical application, and the consultation process.

Senator Karen Rudie questioned the language “strategic agility” in hiring, worrying that such phrasing may signal intent to bypass collective bargaining and hiring processes.

“Nimbleness and agility sound like code for a quick hire that obviates the usual process,” Rudie said.

Deane replied that there was “no intention to subvert the normal process,” emphasising the phrase “collaborative processes” in the document signals a continued commitment to collective agreements.

Another senator, Petra Fachinger, criticized the exclusion of “equity and diversity” in favour of the broader term “inclusion,” citing that the language reminded her of the 80s. She also challenged how Queen’s defines “what we do best,” asking, who decides what Queen’s does best.

She also called out the University for clumping together reconciliation, inclusion, and sustainability in the report and

annual Ocean Sustainability Conference, which platforms speakers specializing in environmental conservation and aquatic protection.

“We had these two speakerscome last year from The RiverInstitute, and they talked about how vital the St. Lawrence Riverwaterway is to Kingston communities,” Shivgulam said. “We really encourage students to come to [the conference]. It’s a free event, free catering.”

This year, the co-presidents are also working to revamp The Ocean Lover’s Cookbook—a 2023 QCOS project featuring recipes that

While QCOS was able to collect seven large bags of garbage, the presidents claim this is an improvement upon last year, in which the cleanup produced 10 bags of garbage. They credit this increase in cleanliness, in part, to the installation of gates to block off the pier this past weekend. Still, the co-presidents are working to protect Kingston’s fresh water and make the campus more sustainable. They’re currently planning their

questioned why they were grouped together, why there was no mention of equity and diversity, what the consultation processes were, and why all three topics, particularly sustainability, were so briefly mentioned in the report.

In response, Deane said he would consider everything and that he thought she was right in thinking it’s “strange,” but reiterated that it’s meant to be conceptual categories that are “fundamentally important.”

Lastly, some senators voiced that the report needed to have a stronger stance on academic freedom and needed to reaffirm the importance of post-secondary education. Deane agreed firmly and emphasized the need to articulate a “clear value proposition” in the final vision.

Question Period

The senate meeting finished up with a question period. AI was a main topic of discussion, as Senator Samantha King asked whether formal AI policies would be created and whether they would go through the Senate.

Evans replied that any policy impacting academic matters would be reviewed by the Senate. During his response, he also stated that the thinking around AI has changed.

“The thinking has changed over the last couple of years from essentially saying AI is this kind of monstrous thing […] to really say, well, AI is a tool,” he said. “It’s something that we should be using and students should be using.”

Evans then emphasized the need to “rethink assessment” in light of AI’s growing role in student and academic work. Stating that the University can’t ignore it and that the future of how to assess a student’s understanding might need to be adjusted and changed, but did not clarify what those changes might look like.

The next Senate meeting will be held on Nov. 27.

use more sustainable foods and generate less food waste.

“Last week, we pitched making an updated one for current Queen’s students,” Shivgulam said. “A lot of Queen’s students aren’t only on a budget, but are also looking to eat healthier. So, we’re making a cookbook that can reduce prices and not use certain imported products that affect the environment with CO2 emissions.”

Both co-presidents are committed to making the University more sustainable not only for the sake of current students, but also for future generations of Queen’s students.

dan School in tURmoil

Continued from front page...

According to the co-presidents, allegedly, another factor driving the issue is that many of the instructors who used to teach these applied lessons have left the University over the past few years. They also alleged that some professors even encouraged students to transfer from Queen’s as they departed.

The co-presidents say that these absences have resulted in some students, such as percussionists, not receiving any applied lessons.

In a statement to The Journal, the University claimed there’s still a lecturer in percussion providing one-on-one coaching through the percussion ensemble and small ensemble courses.

While the co-presidents have been in discussion with the DAN School Administration, they believe the issue is out of The DAN School’s hands and instead lies with the University, hoping they would recognize the relevance and importance of the performing arts in society and within the Queen’s community, calling for greater transparency and communication.

The University told The Journal that “the school remains committed to educational integrity and artistic excellence, continuing to offer Applied Music courses with individual and small-group instruction as well as numerous public performance opportunities,” although they didn’t clarify the exact amount of applied music lessons still being offered.

The Journal also sat down with recently departed professor from the music program, Wolf Tormann, who taught at Queen’s for 29 years, before leaving in advance of this coming school year. He credits both his departure and the departures of other music professors as a response to the cuts made to the DAN School.

“The decision was at least partially made because I couldn’t work for an organization that basically destroyed the applied music program at Queen’s,” Tormann said.

“I don’t want to work for people who don’t appreciate me, and who don’t see the value in a good music education.”

In addition to the resignations, Tormann explained that many

professors were let go by the University as a result of cuts to the budget and programming. He shared that many of these instructors were let go via e-mail.

According to Tormann, one of his colleagues—who had worked for the University for seven years—had to write to Queen’s asking if he was still on staff, only for them to respond that they would no longer be offering him any work.

“It’s so devastating for the students at Queen’s, the loss of quality instructors, and the loss of courses that had been offered,” Tormann said. “The Bachelor of Music Program has been watered down. It’s not a high-quality degree anymore. And students aren’t coming.”

The University chose not to comment on the validity of these claims “out of respect for the privacy of everyone involved.”

During the pandemic, when Tormann first realized the severity of the music program’s decline, he requested a meeting with the previous Dean of Arts and Sciences, Barbara Crow, but was denied. In the years since, while administration has been present at departmental meetings, Tormann claims there was little room for discussion or consultation.

Tormann then stated that the Arts and Science Dean, Bob Lemieux, questioned why the school had to teach so many instruments and said they should just teach voice and piano.

“That shows you very clearly the disconnect between the administration and the school and its instructors,” Tormann said about the comment from Lemieux.

Crow declined to provide a statement, instead deferring questions to the University, despite the University directing The Journal to contact Crow individually.

While Tormann claims he fought adamantly for the music program, he says the DAN School administration didn’t advocate strongly enough for its instructors or students.

“I feel we weren’t supported by the DAN School administration or by the University,” he said. “I feel like a lot of my colleagues were thrown under the bus.”

Tormann claims that the reputation of The DAN School has suffered “tremendously” as a result of its recent choices and cuts, and that he would no longer recommend that any students enroll in its programming.

ArtSci Faculty Board addresses the faculty’s “unclear” future at Queen’s

Board members express frustration about being under-resourced and at capacity

Lilly Meechan Assistant News Editor

Faculty members left with growing concern over the long-term plan for ArtSci.

The Faculty of Arts and Science (FAS) Board met in Jeffery Hall on Oct. 24 at 2:30 p.m. The meeting included presentations of new reports, notice of motions, anda committee update, followed by faculty sharing their concerns regarding the Bicentennial Vision. After roughly two hours, the meeting concluded with a question period.

The meeting began with a land acknowledgement by Associate Dean (Graduate) and Professor James Fraser, followed by remarks from Associate Professor Diane Orihel on her petition urging the province to increase post-secondary funding. She urged all members to share and sign the petition, which was then handed out to the room for signatures.

Notice of Motions

Several notices of motions and one motion were introduced at the meeting by Associate Dean (Academic) Dorit Naaman, covering administrative calendar approvals, curriculum developments, and regulatory changes.

Naaman introduced several notices of motion, two of which focused on program changes within the DAN School of Drama and Music, including “major modification to the Music specialization” and a “Temporary Suspension of Admission into the Music Theatre—General in the

Dan School.” The motions were presented without further detail and prompted no discussion from faculty, with decisions and debate to take place in future meetings.

Another notice of motion concerned a proposed revision to FAS academic regulations. Naaman proposed raising the cap on courses students can take outside the FAS from six to 12.0 units, arguing that students are increasingly seeking interdisciplinary learning opportunities.

The motion, outlined in Appendix C, was introduced for information only but sparked immediate discussion from several faculty members.

Head of the Department of Art History and Art Conservation, Norman Vorano, raised concerns

over lost teaching within FAS. Dan Cohen, assistant professor in the Department of Geography, asked about financial impacts.

In response, Naaman stated the proposed motion’s meant to give ArtSci students more flexibility and prevent graduation delays. She emphasized it’s not about cross-faculty teaching, which is being addressed separately through new agreements. She also stated that this was a way to “pay back” for the subvention that ArtSci is receiving.

Jordan Morelli, a professor of Engineering Physics, pushed back on the term “subvention,” arguing FAS should reject the notion that it’s being subsidized. Morelli argued that they were under-resourced, not understaffed.

gloBal micRoSoft oUtage BRiefly diSRUptS QUeen’S weBSite

The issue was ‘fully resolved’ after roughly 10 hours

Jonathan Reilly Senior News Editor

Queen’s main website fell victim to a temporary disruption on Oct. 29 following a global Microsoft outage.

“While the Microsoft issue began earlier in the day and was fully resolved shortly after 10 p.m., the queensu.ca website was down for a shorter period of time, between noon and 2 p.m. The disruption was caused by a broader service interruption within Microsoft’s infrastructure. This wasn’t related to scheduled maintenance by the University,” Queen’s Information Technology Services (ITS) wrote in a statement to The Journal

While platforms like SOLUS

remained active throughout the outage, some users may have struggled to access them.

“Access to key academic, research, teaching and learning platforms, including SOLUS, may have been impacted due to direct URLs not

being known to those trying to access, but they remained in service and active throughout the incident,” ITS wrote.

No further disruptions have been reported.

“I feel this is important because the dean’s office is using this language, and I feel like the dean’s office needs to be rejecting this language, not embracing it and using it,” Morelli said. “We don’t get a subvention from the University. We’re the University.”

Finally, Associate Dean Bill Nelson proposed a motion of major enhancements to the FAS internship options under a new work-integrated learning model. He shared that only 3 per cent of ArtSci students receive internships through The Queen’s Undergraduate Internship Program (QUIP) compared to 60 per cent of engineering students. The plan includes stackable four-month internships, a credit increase from six to nine units, and dedicated support for underrepresented fields.

The proposal will go to undergraduate chairs and return to the Board later this year.

The board approved a motion to adopt the 2026–2027 sessional dates, which passed without debate.

Bicentennial Vision

A discussion led by Associate Professor Alyssa King invited feedback on Queen’s Bicentennial Vision draft document, released in September of this year. This led to faculty sharing their concerns about the future of ArtSci at Queen’s.

Multiple members criticized the report’s lack of attention to teaching, arts and humanities, and sustainability. Marcus Taylor, Department Head and Professor for Global Development Studies, noted that sustainability is barely mentioned, something he feels students want to see.

Naaman then shared that she found it concerning the lack of focus on teaching in the report.

“I find it worrisome that the research and academic excellence seem to be quite well-developed, and teaching isn’t,” she said. Following, Cohen questioned the process for identifying strategic research areas, calling it unclear and exclusionary.

Finally, several members expressed frustration that a separate Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (AHSS) Report, commissioned by the Principal and developed over 15 weeks, appeared largely ignored in the Bicentennial Vision, noting that ArtSci was the only faculty asked to create this report.

Question Period

During question period, Morelli raised concerns about the status of the frozen Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Visual Arts program, asking whether current students already enrolled have been given clear pathways to graduation.

Nelson replied that the program was suspended in February 2023 due to quality assurance and sustainability concerns. Also, according to Nelson, the Faculty Board approved a new BAH Visual Arts plan in February 2025 after 18 months of development, but it remains six months behind schedule in the university’s 17 to 30-month approval process.

While Nelson declined to give specifics about student support, citing privacy concerns because it’s a small program, Morelli pushed back, arguing that undergraduate chairs and professors lack the tools, capacity, and information to help students. Nelson maintained that chairs have support available.

The meeting adjourned unanimously just before 4:30 p.m., and the next board meeting is set for Nov. 21 in Jeffery Hall.

News in Brief: Queen’s set to Thrive this fall

University recognizes educators with awards and prepares new graduates

Jonathan Reilly Senior News Editor

Thrive Week

Announced in the Queen’s Gazette, on Oct. 8, Queen’s will host its annual Thrive Week from Nov. 3 to 7. A series of events designed to support mental health amongst the campus community.

“Thrive Week is a unique opportunity for us to learn, connect, and grow together,” said Director of Employee Wellness Services Sydney Downey in the Gazette article.

This year’s theme, “Thriving Together: Cultivating Connection, Inclusivity, and Community,” encourages students, staff, and faculty to participate in more than 35 events. One of the events, Stephanie Simpson, vice-principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion), will deliver a keynote address on Nov. 3 and share her experience “building belonging and community at Queen’s.”

According to the Queen’s Gazette, last year, over 1,300 participants attended Thrive Week events.

Fall Convocation

Coinciding with Thrive Week, more than 1,750 graduates and their guests will cross the stage in Grant Hall from Nov. 3 to 7 for Fall Convocation. The nine ceremonies will recognize students across faculties as they graduate.

Principal Patrick Deane will preside over the ceremonies, with honorary degrees conferred upon two Canadians: author Uzma Jalaluddin and Senator Rosemary Moodie. The honourees were selected for their contributions to literature, health care, and public service.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate this important milestone in the lives of graduates,” Deane said. “I’m also looking forward to congratulating this fall’s honorary degree recipients and hope that graduates will be inspired by the wisdom they will share during the ceremonies.”

Both recipients will receive their awards on Nov. 3, with Jalaluddin being awarded at the 10 a.m. ceremony and Moodie at 2:30 p.m.

2024–25 Teaching Awards

In an effort to recognize Queen’s

S t U dent S compete to B oo S t

the University.

Queen’s competes against 106 other schools in the ‘Fall Get Together Campaign’

Yael Rusonik Assistant News Editor

This Halloween, fake blood can make a scene—but real blood can make a difference.

Student teams at Queen’s will be participating in the Canadian Blood Services’ (CBS) ‘Fall Get Together campaign’ from Oct. 6 to Dec. 31. Throughout this campaign, 106 Canadian post-secondary schools will be competing to see who can earn the highest “Donor Point Average” (DPA)—a metric based on blood and plasma donations made my teams assembled at

staff, the University hosted the 2024-25 Teaching Awards Celebration in Grant Hall. The annual event, hosted on Oct. 9, announces the recipients of teaching awards from the AMS, SGPS, School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (SGSPA), the Office of the Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning), and the Principal’s office, along with several faculty-specific distinctions.

Speakers included representatives from all organizations presenting awards, aside from SGPS President Dawood Tullah, who was represented by Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning) Gavan Watson. Professor Michelle Searle, from the Faculty of Education, was also a keynote speaker at the event as this year’s recipient of the Chancellor’s A. Charles Baillie Teaching Award.

Dozens of awards were presented, with the AMS and SGPS both recognizing six individuals, the Principals’ Office recognizing nine, and both the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs and Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning) honouring two.

While Gemmiti’s proud of how Queen’s students have shown up to donate in the past, she’s hoping this year the CBS can tap into the vast population of students who have yet to participate in their clinics.

Jill Gemmiti, the community development manager for CBS’ Peterborough-Kingston chapter, talked to The Journal about the importance of donating blood and plasma this fall.

“Every time someone donates a unit of whole blood, it saves three people,” Gemmiti said in an interview. “Hospitals are demanding more; we just need to get more people donating on a regular basis.”

Students interested in donating can visit clinics running in the Biosciences Complex on Nov. 7 and Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. While anyone eligible can donate, only students who have formed or joined teams can contribute to the University’s DPA. Team members who show up to their appointments are also eligible to win prizes from the CBS should Queen’s win the campaign.

“A lot of these students who are first-time donors, it’s a fear of the unknown,” she said. “But when they come with a group or a friend, it makes it a little bit easier. And then once they’ve been through the whole process, then they usually come back.”

The Queen’s University Blood Team (QUBT) is also encouraging students to donate blood and stem cell samples this fall. On Oct. 31, they will be hosting a haunted house in Gordon Brockington House, with a stem cell swabbing table located at its end. One of the QUBT Co-chairs, Christian Cataudella, HealthSci ’26, explained the importance of stem cell donation in an interview with The Journal.

Continued online at www.queensjournal.ca

how a SeRVice dog helped one VeteRan Reclaim

hiS life

Jim Butler and his dog Sophie advocate for the importance of service dogs

Maya Luke Contributor

When Jim Butler met his service dog Sophie, his world opened up again.

With service dogs able to provide support to those struggling with a variety of challenges, such as narcolepsy, anxiety. Butler, a retired veteran and advocate for service dogs across Ontario, spoke to The Journal about his experiences with his service dog, Sophie. Sophie’s a poodle and Irish wolfhound mix and has been by Butler’s side since she was a puppy in late 2015.

Before his doctor recommended a service animal for Butler’s condition, the use of service dogs had “never crossed his mind,” he said. After he was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSS), Butler recalls not being able to overcome his anxiety, explaining couldn’t leave his house to even go to the corner store.

“When you suffer from PTSS, you feel like everyone looks at you like you’re broken; but there are no physical signs,” Butler said in an interview with The Journal

The options at the time were to get a dog and train them himself, buy a service dog already trained from the United States for $30,000 USD, or wait two years for a trained dog from elsewhere in Canada.

Butler wanted a service dog that would fit his needs and didn’t want to wait two years, ultimately deciding to get Sophie and train her himself. The process can take anywhere from 1-3 years, and had

multiple checkpoints that Butler and Sophie worked through (involving behavioural tests), and there was always a worry that she wouldn’t qualify as a certified service dog at the end of the training; but she did.

“Sophie changed my life. She gave me a sense of responsibility and was very instrumental in saving my life and my marriage. As a result of getting Sophie, I’m a better person today than I was before I had PTSS”.

One of Butler’s symptoms is recurring nightmares every night. Sophie’s specifically trained to wake him up right as they begin, to help alleviate the anxiety and sleep loss that used to come from this. She can recognize when the nightmare starts and wake Butler up almost immediately.

According to Butler, while Sophie has changed his life for the better, there are still fundamental issues with the service dog industry that he has experienced. Because the service animal industry lacks federal or provincial regulation, members of the public can purchase service animal vests online and claim their pet is a certified service animal.

“In some cases, businesses would err on the side of caution, allowing dogs that aren’t fully licensed or trained, since it looks bad on them if they turn them away”.

He explains that asking someone to prove their animal is certified, can blur the line between harassment and verification of information, which makes businesses hesitant to allow/refuse entry. While Butler’s permitted to take Sophie almost everywhere, except for sterile environments and food preparation areas, they still run into issues.

“Some restaurants and hotels aren’t familiar with the regulations. [this comes from] mostly ignorance of the law, which prevents people from accessing their service dogs”.

Since Butler has had Sophie, he has been speaking at different events such as Queen’s 4 PAWS; and is a big supporter of the service animal industry.

“I never miss an opportunity to talk about service dogs. She gave me confidence to go out into the world again.”

FEATURES

Behind the seams of prepping for Hoco and Foco

Queen’s merch groups talk fashion choices, financing, and alumni engagement for this year’s FOCO and HOCO looks

Eva Sheahan Features Editor

Walking the streets over Homecoming (HOCO) and FOCO weekend, students like Maia Cossette, ArtSci ’26, say the bright, vibrant campus energy is reflected in Queen’s enduring sense of style.

Each October, Queen’s students celebrate Homecoming and “Foco”—a post-fall break tradition—by flooding the streets in red, blue, and yellow Queen’s gear. In the months leading up to HOCO and FOCO, student government and clubs, like the Arts and Science Undergraduate Society (ASUS), Queens for Sustainable Fashion (QFSF), and Society 58—along with retailers such as Phase 2 and the Campus Bookstore worked to meet the surge in demand for Queen’s themed apparel.

The Journal merchandise retailers to learn how they gear up for Queen’s fashion-packed weekends. For ASUS and Communications Officer Ellie Sheppard, designing HOCO merchandise has been a priority since

late July. With a $1,000 budget, Sheppard managed to keep costs low, stating the final cost came to around $600. Costs aside, Sheppard explained gender inclusivity was a first priority in designing merchandise.

“The first thing that [my team and I] started thinking about was accessibility. We were trying to think of a design that would be something everyone would

she ultimately just wanted students to feel comfortable and confident in their HOCO and FOCO outfits.

“We wanted to keep the design minimalistic and simple, so that people can make the shirt their own, by cutting it up or styling it in their own way […] I feel like fashion brings people together,” Sheppard said.

personal expression. But at the end of the day, Sheppard explained

“There’s unity in everyone wearing Queen’s merchandise with the same colour and logos, but everyone adds their own twist to their Hoco outfit to express themself in different ways, even as we’re all Queen’s students.”

Although Sheppard began planning HOCO merchandise in late July, she told The Journal she would likely start even earlier next year to allow more time for creative brainstorming. This push to get a head start isn’t unique to ASUS—Kingston’s Queen’s focused merchandise stores echo the same strategy, emphasizing early preparation for HOCO and FOCO weekends.

six months prior to October. “October is definitely our biggest month with HOCO, FOCO, and Halloween,” she said in an interview with The Journal

However, even with their usual rush, Igmimundson notices a few slight changes this year.

“There haven’t been

in Alumni participation,” she said. “Feedback from Alumni is that it ‘isn’t the same’ with no one on campus.”

With homecoming scheduled over Queen’s students Fall reading break this year, Global News reported how Queen’s, city officials expected a quieter homecoming weekend. Some alumni even told Kingston Whig-Standard that the timing of the two weekends felt like a “scam.”

For Carla Igimundson, owner of Phase 2—a family-run clothing store since 1980 selling Queen’s merchandise on the corner of Princess St. and Barrie St.—planning and ordering clothing for HOCO begins

significant changes [in sales or trends] this year other than Hoco was slower in general than previous years […] Generally [Hoco] sales are great, but with Homecoming scheduled during reading week, there seems to be a drop

While alumni presence and merchandise sales to alumni—were minimal this year, student societies continued to prioritize fashion for HOCO and FOCO. For QFSF, that focus comes with a commitment to sustainability. The group designs HOCO and FOCO merchandise entirely from thrifted clothing, helping students show school spirit reducing waste and promoting mindful consumption. This year, QFSF gave five student designers $30 each to purchase thrifted materials for creating merchandise, including crochet tops and jean skirts. The group earned $440 from sales, slightly less than last year’s nearly

$500, according to QFSF in an e-mail to Allie Madan, QFSF co-president, ArtSci ’26 , told The Journal statement that the difference was likely due to having more pieces to sell and a larger design team last year.

year’s merchandise, QFSF organized a themed photoshoot titled “Threaded in Time” using the ‘retro warmth’ of Tommy’s Diner and the ‘timeless creativity’ of Martello Alley. The photoshoot for Instagram emphasized the bright, bold Queen’s colours, and attempted to blend the current HOCO fashion moment with nostalgia for the past.

“We wanted to focus on themes of nostalgia and Queen’s pride. We have a lot of followers that are Queen’s alumni so it’s nice for them to see the Queen’s pride carry forward,” said Maia Cossette, ArtSci ’26, QFSF creative director, in an interview with The Journal Cossette highlights the broader journey behind campus fashion, noting that even a simple shirt carries a story. “Even with a shirt, it might be simple, but all the patches and stitching were made by someone your age, a fellow Queen’s student who might even be in the same program as you,” she said, emphasizing that all designs are handmade by Queen’s students for Queen’s students. Each designer has full creative been pretty consistent from

year to year, even since the inception of Faux Homecoming,” said Bryan is especially important for the Alumni because they feel that nostalgia for their time here. I think for current students when you see Alumni wearing merch, it brings that [Queen’s pride]

For the Campus Bookstore, preparation for HOCO and FOCO merchandise begins

weekends represent preparation helped meet demand, though the store still sold out before FOCO weekend. “We stocked up on [merch] before reading week,becauseweknow that students who stay for Hoco weekend during reading week and Alumni contributed a lot to those sales,” Lariviere said in an interview with . “We didn’t foresee that we would run out of literally everything and couldn’t stock up in one week in between

FOCO weekend. From student-led initiatives to long-standing local businesses, preparations for HOCO and FOCO reflect a focus on school pride and community. From ASUS emphasizing inclusivity and accessibility, to QFSF challenging fast fashion, to handmade designs; nostalgia remained a central theme throughout the weekend in everyone’s outfits.

Ford’s latest legislation threatens rent control and accelerates the housing affordability crisis

For the thousands of Ontarians struggling to keep a roof over their head, Ford’s new housing bill could be a push out the door.

On Oct. 23, the Ford government introduced Bill 60 the “legislation to build homes and infrastructure faster,” which has the potential to end rent control and indefinite leases across Ontario. The proposed legislation is intended to put more power in the hands of landowners to streamline approvals and let developers build homes quickly; however, it also includes alternative options to lease expiry that could be detrimental to long-term renters. This is just another example of the Ford Government cozying up to landowners and neglecting the needs of its broader constituency.

Even if Ford claims the bill will help the housing crisis, it only puts renters at risk.

It’s not as if the housing market wasn’t difficult enough already. The average monthly cost of living in Ontario is already between three and four thousand for a single adult, and six to eight thousand dollars for a family of four. In just the past few years, the cost of rent alone has soared, putting Canada in a rental housing crisis, with homes disappearing at an alarming rate

across the country. The bill claims it will “get shovels in the ground faster” for new developments, but may only serve to remove people from their homes.

side effect of the new legislation is its effect on seniors. Seniors make up 32.5 per cent of singleperson rental households. Relying on their pension, many

You don’t need to look any further than Kingston for examples of rising rent prices. Taking advantage of student turnover, landlords have raised rent for a onebedroom apartment at an annual growth rate of 19.9 per cent, the fourth highest in all of Canada. Landlords already have unlimited power to hike rent between tenancies; the new bill would allow them to remove tenants when they see fit, completely abolishing the present system of rent control for long-term tenants.

Beyond young tenants, perhaps the most concerning

seniors wouldn’t be able to afford a sudden rent hike. The new legislation is a threat to seniors, many of whom would have to move and leave behind the communities they rely upon. If passed, they would have no guarantee of staying in the communities they many may have planned on spending the rest of their lives in.

For those familiar with Doug Ford, the legislation comes as another example of Ford trying to benefit those already in power.

A liberal housing critic pointed out that the bill only allows hardworking renters a one-year lease guarantee, while a foreign

A woman’s choice to remain childless is nobody’s

decision but hers

Women need equal access to fair and non-judgmental reproductive healthcare.

Prince Edward Island (PEI) resident Lynn Paulin decided to undergo tubal ligation, more commonly known as getting your “tubes tied.” Remaining childless was a decision Paulin made for her life, and she was rightly able to receive the care she required without judgment or attempts to change her mind.

However, Paulin’s fear of judgment and persuasion speaks to a broader social narrative that the healthcare system will try to control what women do with their bodies.

Those who consider procedures such as tubal ligation don’t take it lightly. Paulin had been sure for years that she didn’t want a child and came to an educated and informed decision with her husband. The doctor’s questions for Paulin were exactly as they should be, direct, only asking if she wanted kids and if she was healthy. It’s important to receive healthcare that ensures you’re safe but doesn’t question your personal motivations.

Women are often seen as fulfilling a biological imperative by having children. Those who choose to remain childless are met with pity, judgment, and questioning. Many women aged 35 to 40 feel judged for not having a baby, and even if they plan to, nearly 60 per cent have faced judgement for leaving it late. Though it should go without saying, a woman’s worth is defined by so much more than her ability to have children and should be celebrated for whatever they choose to do with

their body.

Paulin’s decision highlights how difficult and expensive other forms of birth control can be. Contraception pills are tiring and risk serious hormonal imbalances in women. Other side effects include nausea, headaches, mood changes, and irregular periods. Alternative options, including intrauterine devices (IUD)’s can be painful, and weren’t covered by PEI health insurance until this year. While mostly covered by health insurance, other forms of birth control can range from $100 to over $2,000 per year.

While it may seem like there are so many options when it comes to birth control, none of them are truly optimal for women’s health. It shouldn’t be hard to understand why a woman who is sure she wants to remain childless would wish to undergo tubal ligation.

Even with access to contraception, no form of birth control has a 100 per cent guarantee of remaining childless.

If someone were to become pregnant on birth control, the abortion debate south of the border illustrates the lack of options for women in this situation. The overturning of Roe v. Wade was deeply concerning for any young woman, indicating how easily it is for women to lose the right to make autonomous decisions about their bodies. Driven by her own experience of terminating a pregnancy, it’s completely understandable

spa company at Ontario Place gets 99 years.

In 2022, Doug Ford was involved in a scandal where he planned to remove 2994 hectares of protected land from the Greenbelt. Allegedly, Greenbelt development was intended to promote development and housing affordability, but it mainly benefited prominent land developers.

Yet knowing Ford, the new housing legislation is unsurprising. In an e-mail statement to CBC, a spokesperson said the legislation would support “mom and pops” who rely on rental income to pay their mortgage.” Supporting small landowners isn’t only a small side effect of broader legislation that will sooner evict vulnerable tenants than support these smaller landowners.

From students to seniors, the proposed bill would’ve detrimental effects on renters across Ontario. By supporting landowners who are already in power over the housing market, Ford’s latest legislation risks worsening an already dire crisis.

—Journal Editorial Board

Student journalism will suffer as a casualty of Ford’s war on universities

Jonathan Reilly Senior News Editor

Bill 33, cheerfully titled the Supporting Children and Students Act, does a lot less supporting and a lot more silencing.

Among its many overreaches, the bill would let the province decide which student fees matter—threatening the budgets that keep campus services, clubs, and publications alive. If those fees become optional, outlets like The Journal could lose critical funding, shrinking one of the last sources of student-focused, objective reporting left as

why Paulin would seek a permanent solution. Despite having an IUD, Paulin became pregnant in her 20s and had to seek an abortion to avoid medical complications. It wasn’t until she was referred to a specialized gynecology clinic that she was presented with all her options. Previously, she felt as though her doctors were trying to guilt her out of terminating an unplanned pregnancy. With few options and

local papers vanish.

Of those affected, vital student supports at Queen’s— such as the Peer Support Centre and the AMS FoodBank—could face large cuts or cease to exist. Though The Journal isn’t a peer support or food-access service, it plays a crucial role in providing truthful and accurate coverage of campus happenings.

The Journal, along with other student papers across Ontario, seeks to ensure students are up to date on the latest campus news. Without student papers, an unbiased account of the University’s operating budget, unannounced changes to events from student governments, and updates on local campus developments wouldn’t just be hard to come by; they wouldn’t exist.

Continued online at www.queensjournal.ca

few guarantees, Paulin’s decision was the right one for her, and should be met with understanding, not judgment. In a social and political climate that constantly tries to limit or judge women on the choices they make about their bodies and having children, access to permanent contraceptive operations is essential.

—Journal Editorial Board

Student fostering is the bridge between shelters and abandoned animals

Students

Vanessa Vine Contributor

hold the key to giving pets a second chance

the escalating shelter crisis by opening their homes and hearts to foster animals in need.

Animal shelters are struggling to keep up with the growing number of animals in need, and students might be the perfect remedy to stop the overflow.

Across Canada, animal shelters are overflowing. In Canada, it’s estimated that over 300,000 dogs and cats alone enter shelters every year. Only 21 per cent of Canadian Humane Societies’ funding is governmentissued, as major shelters ultimately rely on the community for support. Thus, shelters are routinely operating beyond their limits with a large annual flow of animals and little support to help keep the lights on.

Years after the COVID-19 pandemic, shelters have continued to face an overwhelming record of surrendered and abandoned animals, with an increase of 63 per cent from 2021 to 2022 being turned over to local shelters. This was after a large drop in animals making up shelters during the lockdown phase of 2020.

In cities like Kingston, home to thousands of university students, there’s a unique opportunity to make a difference. While students are frequently written off as too busy or irresponsible, they actually represent an untapped resource in the fight against

Many shelters, rescues, and adoption clinics tug on the heartstrings of the general community when promoting issues regarding stray animals. Shelter animals face consistent stigma, often seen as reactive, unpredictable, or “too much work” than buying pure-breds from breeders. This misconception is robbing many loving animals of their opportunity for adoption.

Although shelters provide a safe option for rescued animals, extended stays can have a large psychological toll on animals. The greater amount of time spent in this environment increases their risk of developing triggers, social withdrawal, and reactiveness.

Thus, the vicious cycle of animals developing negative behaviours in shelters inevitably leaves animals with very little admiration for adoption.

Shelters are being filled daily with an influx of domestic animals in need of a new home. Pandemic-era adoption trends are only increasing this crisis. A 2022 Pet Valu study reported that roughly three million new pets were adopted nationwide during the pandemic.

For many families, the pandemic provided the flexibility of spare time leaving families searching for companionship and past-time activities. Having a pet has been a widespread solution for many families during the pandemic, ultimately resulting in increased

adoption rates.

In the years following the pandemic, lifestyles have resumed their regular routines, leaving families overwhelmed with the once-easy responsibility of owning a pet. Longer workdays, commutes, and social obligations left little time for the same level of attention these animals had grown accustomed to. The flexibility of constant attention came to a stop.

The Kingston Humane Society, for instance, set out a cry for help near the end of the pandemic when it hit a record of 294 animals in care. That number represented not just statistics, but hundreds of living beings whose lives had been upended twice: first by pandemic adoption, then by post-pandemic abandonment.

University towns such as Kingston have a huge opportunity to make a difference. With their dense student populations, flexible living arrangements, and high levels of social engagement, university students should be highly encouraged to partake in fostering.

Fostering provides animals with the opportunity to be in a loving environment while waiting for adoption. University student housing holds tons of engagement, perfect for animals in need of attention and socialization, as many are coming from neglectful households. The need for attention can work quite well in the setting of a student house with multiple occupants like so many students at Queen’s. This helps create a perfect environment for animals who would otherwise be trapped in cages for the large

A letter to leaders in waiting

Niki Boytchuk-Hale Staff writer

When I pitched a column topic for this month, I didn't realize I’d already written about campus elections. Maybe that's bound to happen after sixteen of these. This, however, will be a different angle: for those considering their name on a ballot to lead the AMS, SGPS, or a faculty society.

If you’re thinking about running in a campus election, the first thing I’d like to say is ‘thank you.’ It means you care about our community, and that’s where most good things begin.

Putting yourself out there on a ballot to be publicly judged is brave. And so, there were two questions I asked myself before deciding I was all in.

The first was why. There’s a video of me literally running while explaining why I was running for election, and that became the most popular part of our campaign. People want to know your reasons, and I think that’s because it reveals how earnest you are about the motives behind and commitment to a role.

majority of their lives.

Contrary to what many believe, fostering isn’t an all-consuming task. Most shelters cover veterinary costs, food, and basic supplies. Many even accommodate student schedules by arranging short-term placements or easy drop-off options during exam periods and holidays.

Apart from student benefits, fostering’s a major part of an animal's rehabilitation, increasing the likelihood for adoption, and minimizing the adverse effects from living in a shelter full-time. The reward animals gain from fostering, even for short periods of time, can mean the difference between a kennel and a couch.

Those unable to adopt fully due to their lifestyles and commitments can take on the task of fostering, providing a home without needing to take on the full responsibility of providing an animal with a forever home. Fostering is a great way to provide students with a companion, but it comes with the potential burden of emotional attachment for a transient friend.

Although the older generation played a major role in both the pandemic pet adoption surge and the subsequent wave of surrenders, It’s the younger generation of students who now have the opportunity to make a positive impact.

We, as students, can be the bridge between abandonment and belonging.

Vanessa Vine is a third-year biology student.

The second question I mulled over is how. And not how am I going to run and win. (that comes later), but how am I going to lead? This includes how you want to conduct yourself as a leader—think: values and beliefs—and how you can sustain your mind and body through the work.

There will be incredibly high highs, and deep dark lows in any leadership role. In both circumstances, I don’t recommend relying on either as a source of your worth. Go home to your friends and family for love, so you can show up to work to do hard things without being clouded by the need for personal approval.

Now, once you’re all in, don’t, under any circumstances, underestimate the power of a campaign team and winter break.

I had a core team of two whom I trusted with everything. They knew the system of student government and me. The outer ring did the fun stuff and came from all walks of campus—different years, programs, and clubs. Half of the team I knew well, and the other half I’d never met. But we were all totally aligned and grew very close. They pulled schedules from SOLUS to do class talks, boothed for hours, made trendy TikTok videos, drafted potential debate questions and critiqued my responses, and talked me off many ledges.

As for winter break. Rest up, spend time with your people, but also hit the books. Use the time to draft a platform, f orm a team, and pencil in consultation meetings for the new year. Your future self will thank you.

Queen’s boasts research excellence with Tier 1 Canada Research Chairs

‘CRC provides a research environment here at Queen’s that’s second to none in the world,’ researcher says

Ananya Sharma

Business, Science & Technology Editor

A $690 million nationwide funding initiative announced on Oct. 22 is allowing the University to strengthen its research capacity across various disciplines.

Queen’s has welcomed three renewed and five newly appointed Canada Research Chair (CRC) chairholders, Dr. Kristine Spekkens (Physics, Engineering Physics, Astronomy), Dr. Amy Latimer-Cheung (Kinesiology and Health Studies), Dr. Sari van Anders (Psychology), Dr. Kristin Moriah (English Literature and Creative Writing), and Dr. Emily Oby (Biomedical and Molecular Sciences).

The federally funded CRC program is designed to support world-leading researchers across Canada, providing long-term funding to advance ambitious projects while attracting and retaining top research talent at Canadian universities.

Within the CRC program, Tier 1 researchers, defined as “acknowledged by their peers as world leaders in their fields,” receive $200,000 annually for seven years, while Tier 2 chairholders, being researchers with “the potential to lead in their field”, receive $100,000 per year for five years.

According to the official CRC press release, of this total amount, over $482 million will be distributed through the Research Support Fund (RSF), which supports the indirect, behindthe-scenes costs of research–facilities, research services, and regulatory requirements support.

For the 2025-26 academic year, Queen’s has secured approximately $10.8 million through the RSF.

At Queen’s, this year’s cohort includes a majority of female researchers from wide-ranging fields, from astrophysics and disability studies to Black feminist arts and neural rehabilitation.

Among the newly appointed

chairholders are Spekkens and Latimer-Cheung, recognized for their work in gas-rich galaxy structures and quality physical activity promotion and disability, respectively.

In an interview with The Journal, Spekkens explained mapping atomic gas and its significance to understanding galaxy evolution.

“Stars form out of gas. A galaxy like our own Milky Way looks the way it does because of the availability of gas and the way it’s been able to form stars over cosmic time. The connection between galaxies and their dark matter halos is really well probed by gas distributions.”

Spekkens noted that gas distributions extend deep into dark matter halos—massive, invisible structures that envelop galaxies, making them powerful cosmic tracers. “My research uses the gas distributions in galaxies to try to understand

Engineering a cleaner future through carbon conversion

Cao Thang Dinh’s lab is developing technologies that turn emissions into energy

how galaxies evolve and the connection to dark matter.”

The Tier 1 CRC appointment allows Spekkens to cultivate a research environment at Queen’s that supports earlycareer researchers while leveraging Canada’s access to cutting-edge telescopic and computing technology.

“The real opportunity provided by the CRC’s the opportunity to bring in some fantastic researchers and to help mentor some fantastic students,” Spekkens continued. “It [CRC] provides... a research environment here at Queen’s that’s really sort of second to none in the world.”

As Spekkens’ research looks up to the stars, Latimer-Cheung’s research stays grounded in kinesiology and equitable access to quality physical activity for people with disabilities.

Estimating that about 27 per cent of Canadian adults have a

the lab aims to reduce industrial dependence on fossil fuels.

Carbon dioxide, a byproduct of industrial processes and a major greenhouse gas, remains one of the main drivers of climate change, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

As the effects of climate change become increasingly visible, many Canadians report feelings of climate anxiety. Dinh hopes his research will offer a sense of hope by showing how scientific innovation can contribute to practical solutions.

Dinh explained that several startups are working to scale up industrial applications using captured carbon dioxide, including CO₂Itech, a company founded at Queen’s. The startup focuses on converting carbon dioxide into products like ethylene—the building block of plastics that could eventually enable carbon-negative manufacturing.

disability, Latimer-Cheung highlights that many face both limited opportunities and unsatisfying experiences.

“Quantity’s about access, but quality participation is when somebody is finding it satisfying and enjoyable and experiencing outcomes that are important to them,” Latimer-Cheung said in an interview with The Journal.

Latimer-Cheung previously held the position of a Tier 2 chairholder. The upgrade to Tier 1 has come at a “perfect” time for her team as it aligns with the launch of the Canadian Disability Participation Project supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, which expands her research to sport, exercise, active play and a wider range of disabilities.

Continued online at www.queensjournal.ca

Canada, motivates him to focus on sustainable energy technologies.

“The impacts of climate change are real and happening now,” Dinh said. “As a professor, I focus on what I can do—and that’s researching technologies that I believe can help fight climate change.”

Although policies and incentives can support adoption, Dinh believes the long-term success of these technologies depends on making them more affordable and efficient. According to Dinh, electricity remains the largest cost in carbon-conversion processes, but as renewable energy becomes cheaper, he expects the technology to become increasingly feasible.

A Queen’s researcher is exploring how chemistry can turn a problem into a resource.

Cao Thang Dinh, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering

and Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Fuels and Chemicals, leads the Dinh lab, which focuses on capturing carbon dioxide and converting it into practical products like fuels and industrial chemicals. The team’s work aims to reduce emissions and improve methods for long-term energy storage.

“We can turn electricity into chemicals,” Dinh said in an interview with The Journal.

“Then we can store and use them when we need. That’s how we can make renewable energy more effective.”

By using renewable energy to transform captured carbon dioxide into useful compounds,

“If we can make the precursors for plastics from carbon dioxide instead of fossil fuels, we could create carbon-negative materials,” Dinh said.

Dinh trained in petroleum refining before immigrating to Canada from Vietnam nearly two decades ago. Witnessing the growing effects of climate change, from flooding in Southeast Asia to wildfires in

He also noted that students can make a meaningful impact by getting involved in research. Joining a lab and learning about clean-energy research, he said, is a valuable way to contribute.

Dinh acknowledges that widespread adoption will take time but remains optimistic. “Progress can seem slow, but it’s happening,” he said. “There’s a lot of good clean technology work in Canada, and I’m hopeful.”

SPORTS

queen’s

women’s soccer

eliminated from oua playoffs after 4-0 loss to Guelph

Gaels struggled to fight off second half push from Guelph

Taahaa Lone Senior Sports Editor

Last weekend, an exciting Gaels’ women’s soccer season came to a tough end.

On Oct. 25, Queen’s faced off against the Guelph Gryphons at the OUA semifinal in Guelph, but were sent home with a 4-0 loss. The Gaels went into the matchup ranked 5th in the nation, and Guelph ranked 8th. It was a dominant effort from the Gryphons, who didn’t allow a single Gaels shot in the first half. Instead, Guelph controlled the game, peppering five shots on the Gaels within the first 32 minutes.

After Guelph’s Elise Bell was fouled in the penalty box in the 37th minute, Guelph’s Olivia Brown made no mistake with the ensuing penalty shot, tucking the ball under the crossbar.

The Gryphons led by a goal entering the second half but came out of halftime on fire. A ball from Guelph’s Olivia Rizakos found Ella Cahill, who hit a long chip shot above Queen’s goalkeeper Lily Bouvier, ArtSci ’28 to double their lead in the 47th minute.

The next 34 minutes were less action-packed, as the Gaels fought to stay in the match and keep their season alive. Bouvier stayed strong in net, and Kendra Couto, Sci ’26, recorded the Gaels’ first two shots of

the game in the 78th and 80th minutes, respectively.

In the 82nd minute, though, it became clear that the tired and discouraged Gaels were running out of gas, and they were caught when a long cross from Guelph’s Bell found Rebecca Draeger in the box to make it 3-0.

With time running out and a devastated Gaels defense on the pitch, Guelph scored the dagger in the final minute of play, when Guelph’s Cahill found Jasmine Burke with a pass to take the lead to 4-0.

It was a devastating end to the season for Queen’s, who fought their way back into national rankings and hadn’t conceded a goal in three straight games. Bouvier made four saves in the match, taking on starting duties due to the absence of Ashley Strand, ArtSci ’27, with a broken finger. Seema Sakran, Kin ’26, added a shot in the final minute to go with Couto’s two, making up the entirety of Queen’s three shots in the match.

In the week following the loss, Couto was honoured as an OUA East Division First Team All-Star, while Sakran, Tatiana Kayrouz, Comm ’27, and Mattson Strickler, ConEd ’26, were given OUA East Division Second Team All-Star honours.

The loss eliminates Queen’s from both OUA contention and from a bid to the 2025 U Sports Women’s Soccer Championship in Hamilton, ON. Next fall, the team will look to build on a successful season that saw them finish as conference semifinalists and a second-place finish in OUA East.

Gaels men’s ruGby topples mcmaster, wins 106-0 in oua quarterfinal

‘We’ve been waiting all year for a complete performance from the guys and we finally got it,’ head coach says

Taahaa Lone Senior Sports Editor

This weekend’s home playoff opener quickly turned into a display of dominance.

On Oct. 26, the 4-2 men’s rugby team took on the 3-3 McMaster Marauders at Nixon Field in a highly anticipated OUA quarterfinal matchup. The result was a 106-0 pounding by Queen’s, thanks to an all-around performance where they smothered McMaster in each aspect of the game.

It took just three minutes for Noah Gittens, MSc ’26, to open the scoring, with a clinical conversion from Marcus D’Acre, ArtSci ’26, giving the Gaels a 7-0 lead. Queen’s never looked back from there. Just four minutes later, Noah Merkur, Kin ’28, found the scoresheet with a try.

From the 19th minute onwards, the Gaels scored four tries in under ten minutes, with two impressive efforts from Owen Lee, Comm ’26, a strong push from Ben Falkner, ArtSci ’26, and

Queen’s women’s rugby crushes Guelph to claim OUA crown

‘Beating

Guelph’s

always sweet, but bringing the trophy home’s even better,’ Donnelly says

Taahaa Lone Senior Sports Editor

Kingston was rowdy this weekend, but the real Friday night party happened under the lights at Nixon Field.

On Oct. 24, Queen’s women’s rugby team won the OUA Championship at home after defeating the Guelph Gryphons by a whopping score of 61-21. The victory capped off an undefeated OUA season for the Gaels, who stormed through their six-game regular season and destroyed the Laurier Golden Hawks in the OUA semifinals.

The game was opened with intense back-and-forth action, but Queen’s took the lead after Maddy Donnelly, ArtSci ‘26, broke out for a try just six minutes into the match. Six minutes later, Kennedi Stevenson, ArtSci ’28, broke through for a try, setting the tone for the Gaels with a 14-0 lead thanks to successful conversions on both by Lizzie Gibson, M.PL. ’26.

In the 15th minute, Guelph’s Emily Lenhardt scored a try to cut the lead in half. Seven minutes later, Mika Matsukubo, MPH ’26, found the scoresheet with a highlight-reel run. In the play right after, Stevenson scored her second try of the night, followed by an emphatic celebration as she gave the Gaels a 26-7 lead.

Guelph scored two tries in the last ten minutes of the first half to narrow the Gaels’ lead to 26-21—but that was as close as they would get.

a run from Gittens, each followed by conversions by D’Acre. In the half’s last 10 minutes, Queen’s refused to let their foot off the gas, with a strong run across from Coen Quinn, Sci ’28, and two tries in two minutes for Tao Nichol, Sci ’26.

Queen’s took a shocking 61-0 lead going into the second half, but they weren’t done yet. It took just a minute for Gittens to score his third try of the game. A try from Adam Doyle, Kin ’26, in the 47th minute, followed by another D’Acre conversion, gave the Gaels a 75-0 lead.

In the 52nd minute, the Gaels recorded two quick tries thanks to a run from Adam Stander, Sci ’28, and a good effort from Merkur for his second try of the game. An extremely quick run for Jackson Palmer, HealthSci ’28, in the 65th minute was followed by a great effort from Gabriel Ricci, HealthSci ’29, just five minutes later, giving Queen’s a 101-0 lead. In the final minute of play, Stander sealed the game with his try, giving the Gaels the 106-0 victory.

Just five minutes into the second half, Tattyannah Jackson, ArtSci ’26, made her mark with a try, followed by a Gibson conversion to extend the lead to 33-21. From there, Queen’s momentum only grew. Guelph mounted a strong push, but a costly turnover in the 48th minute handed the ball to Stevenson, who sprinted 80 yards for a try, igniting

Head coach John Lavery isn’t one to boast about numbers, and that remained true when his post-game focus wasn’t on the score, but on how they got there. “Scoring 100 points doesn’t always feel super great to do to somebody else,” Lavery told The Journal in a post-game interview. “But we’ve been waiting all year for a complete performance from the guys—and we finally got it.”

Despite the lofty point total, Lavery’s focus was on the preparation that went into the matchup, refusing to take McMaster lightly. “Playoff games are never comfortable—you always have some anxiety going in,” he said. “But it was nice to see our work pay off. Over half our lineup were first- or second-year players, and that’s a performance they can be really proud of.”

He pointed out that the Gaels were without their star veterans Trekker James, ArtSci ’26,

the already ecstatic home crowd.

The rest of the game was all Gaels. A strong try-line effort from Maddy May, MSc ’26, was followed by another long dash from Matsukubo and a strong drive from Kyleigh Chandran, Kin ’27, each followed by conversions from Gibson to seal the 61-21 victory for Queen’s.

As the final whistle blew, the Gaels ran to hug each other and celebrate the fruits of a long, but dominant OUA season. The team was awarded the trophy and their gold medals, and Donnelly was named Player of the Game. Gibson and head coach Dan Valley were presented with their OUA Player of the Year and OUA Coach of the Year awards, respectively.

The matchup was a rematch of last year’s title game, which Guelph won on a last-minute try, making this year’s victory especially sweet for the Gaels.

“Anytime we beat Guelph, it’s a good day,” Donnelly said in a post-game interview with The Journal. “That rivalry is always such good rugby but bringing the trophy back home to Nixon after last year makes it that much sweeter.”

Gibson was flawless on conversions, knocking down eight of nine attempts, but the victory held even more significance for the rugby superstar in her final year at Queen’s. “It was a really good ending to the OUA season and my OUA career,” Gibson said in a post-game interview with The Journal. “What a team to do it with—I’m so proud of every single person.”

In her final game at Nixon Field, Gibson’s focus extended beyond her teammates. “It’s emotional knowing

Bauer Mercer, ArtSci ’26, and Connor Hay, ArtSci ’26, due to injury. Lavery’s lips were sealed regarding their statuses for the rest of the season, but while the team certainly hopes to get them back soon, the coach is extremely happy to see his younger players step up. “It definitely speaks well for the future,” he said. “They got to see that the group is in good hands, and the leadership did its job.”

One first year in particular, though, stood out to Lavery, after scoring two tries with plenty of family in the crowd. “Stander’s a kid who’d a lot of choices about where to go, and he chose us,” he said. “His family’s a real rugby family from South Africa, and it means a lot to them to see him play on this field on a day like this. Stuff like that’s pretty special.”

Of course, the match wasn’t just a test of Queen’s future, but also of veteran perseverance. Lavery

everyone shows up. People fly in from across the province to support their daughters and teammates,” she said. “The Queen’s family is truly a family, and the atmosphere at Nixon is electric. That’s what we feed off of.”

After his fourth OUA Championship in eight seasons as Gaels head coach, the experienced Valley felt proud—both of his players and the program as a whole.

“We’ve 25 people who get to pull on a jersey in an OUA final,” Valley told The Journal in an interview after the win. “But this is the reflection of the work of upwards of 100 people when you count our full squad and support staff, plus everyone in Athletics who helps us do what we do.”

While he’s happy with his team’s performance, it’s clear that Valley wasted no time in looking ahead to the big prize. “We’re going to try and bottle up everything we just did today and unload that,” Valley said of the upcoming U Sports Championship. “If we can do that three more times, we’ll put ourselves in a very good position to have a similar celebration.”

Notably, Queen’s may be forced to contend without OUA All-Star Jiggy Schonfeld, Kin ’27, who’ll likely be unavailable due to injury.

The win sent the Gaels to Vancouver, B.C., where the U Sports Women’s Rugby Championships began on Oct. 29. Queen’s already won their quarterfinal against the Acadia Axewomen by a score of 90-10. They’ll take on the host University of British Columbia Thunderbirds on Oct. 31 as they seek a berth to the finals on Nov. 2.

highlighted the coaching work of James Webb, Comm ’26, whose fifth and final year as a Gael was cut short due to health issues, but has stayed as an integral piece of Lavery’s staff. Also highlighted was fifth-year Falkner, whose rise over the last four years through the Gaels’ rugby program’s developmental squad—the ‘Reds’—and the Queen’s rugby club team helped earn the respect and trust of Lavery in a must-win game.

The Gaels move on to the OUA semifinals to face the 6-0 Laurier Golden Hawks, but Lavery, once again, isn’t taking the matchup lightly. “Playoff rugby is a funny thing. If you don’t prepare, anxiety creeps in,” Lavery said. “We’ll be going into that game eyes wide open and ready for the challenge. We expect one.”

The semifinal is set for Nov. 1, hosted by the Golden Hawks in Waterloo, ON. The start time is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

Double victory: Gaels claim OUA gold in men’s and women’s cross-country

Win was ‘shocking’ and ‘an unprecedentedly close race among three teams,’ head coach says

Taahaa Lone Senior Sports Editor

Despite a tight race, the entire Queen’s cross-country team put the Gold in Queen’s Tricolour this weekend.

On Oct. 25, the Gaels’ women’s and men’s cross country teams both took home first place at the OUA Cross Country Championship, hosted by Queen’s at Fort Henry. Additionally, star Jude Wheeler-Dee, ConEd ’26, earned gold in the individual event, adding to Queen’s trophy cabinet.

The double wins were sure to put a smile on every Gaels’ face, but the story of the morning came from the underdog women’s team. Ranked as the fourth-best OUA team in U Sports rankings entering the event, it was clear that many foresaw an uphill battle for the Gaels. When it became clear that key runner Olivia Baggley, ArtSci ’27, was unable to compete, though, the hill only got steeper.

What followed was a team effort for the ages in as tight a competition as one could imagine.

Elizabeth Vroom, Sci ’26 and Hannah Goodjohn, Nurs ’26, represented the Gaels with top-10 finishes, finishing 6th and 7th, respectively. Caleigh Pribaz, Sci ’26, finished 14th, and freshman standout Madison McDermott, ArtSci ’29, placed 17th.

Team scores are calculated using a school’s best five placements, and this year, Queen’s and the Windsor Lancers’ top five tied with a score of 70, just one place ahead of the Western Mustangs’ 71. It all came down to the tiebreaker—the team with the fastest 6th-place runner. What appeared to be an insignificant result suddenly became the key to victory for Queen’s, as Jasmine Stokes, Nurs ’26, ran just 0.4 seconds ahead of Windsor’s Maren Kasunich. Just two seconds faster, and Western’s fifth-place finisher, Juliana Hendrikx, would have leapfrogged both, which would have earned the Mustangs gold.

The weight of the victory wasn’t lost on Queen’s head coach Mark Bomba. “Shocking,” Bomba told The Journal in a media availability after the win. “I have no words. In my life, this is unprecedented—to ever see three teams that close, literally separated by seconds.”

Shocking, maybe, but it would be hard to call Vroom surprised by her team’s efforts. “I think some of our previous races didn’t really show all the work we’ve been putting in behind the scenes,” she told The Journal in a post-win media availability. “It’s nice to finally have the opportunity to show that and show everyone what we can do.”

Queen’s fifth-place finisher was first-choice alternate Hannah Pushka, Sci ’26, who stormed to 26th out of 94 runners despite being thrown into action amid Baggley’s absence.

Still, the win was a huge moment for Vroom and the team. “I was really excited,” she said. “I just saw everyone running toward the group, and then someone screamed, ‘We won!’ Everyone was jumping up and down. It was such a good moment.”

After the event, McDermott was given the nod as OUA Women’s Rookie of the Year, Vroom and Goodjohn were named OUA First-Team All-Stars, and Pribaz was named to the OUA Second All-Star Team.

On the men’s side, a purely dominant team performance allowed them to defend their OUA title. Wheeler-Dee’s time of 23:26.7 was 5.6 seconds ahead of the rest of the pack, stacking his trophy cabinet with individual gold, the team gold, and a nod as OUA Men’s Runner of the Year.

Veterans Roman Mironov, Comm ’26, and Tanner Hueglin, ArtSci ’26, earned top-10 finishes, placing 7th and 9th, respectively.

places ahead of the runner-up Guelph Gryphons. With such strong performances from their top five runners, the scorecard didn’t even have to include Ethan Rashid-Cocker, Comm ’27, and Owen Danby, ArtSci ’27, who put up strong finishes at 21st and 28th among 107 racers. A nonchalant reaction from Wheeler-Dee, though, indicates that the defending OUA champions have their eyes on the next prize. “It feels good, obviously,” Wheeler-Dee told The Journal in a post-race interview. “The goals were always set for U Sports this year, so it’s nice to take care of business today and have a bit of confidence going into

last year. That doesn’t mean that Wheeler-Dee is taking the journey for granted in his final year, though. “It’s taking care of business, but also taking it all in,” he said. “It’s my last go-around, so I’m trying to soak in every race and every workout.” Even if winning was business as usual, a win in his hometown in his final year as a Gael is something Wheeler-Dee will hold close to his heart. “I didn’t think much about it before the race,” he said. “But seeing family, friends, and alumni out there made it one of the events I’ll remember a bit longer than others.”

Get to know your Gaels: Alex Vreeken

Hometown quarterback is third in passing touchdowns nationally

Noah Cyr Assistant Sports Editor

Being an elite-level athlete has its perks, but it’s easy to take for granted the person on the inside.

The Journal sat down for its first edition of player profiles, beginning with Gaels football starting quarterback Alex Vreeken, Kin ’26.

A Kingston native, Vreeken didn’t always have football in his sights. Growing up, he split his time between multiple sports— soccer, basketball, and anything else that kept him moving. It was basketball, though, that first captured his heart. “My brother Connor and I both fell in love with basketball,” Vreeken said. “Our dream was to play OUA basketball,” a goal his brother went on to achieve at Carleton University.

It wasn’t until he entered Frontenac Secondary School that Vreeken first picked up a football. “I knew nothing,” he said. “But I could throw a ball pretty well.” What started as a casual experiment quickly became

something deeper—a passion that would redefine his athletic journey and shape the player he is today.

As Vreeken’s passion for football deepened, he credits much of that growth to his offensive coordinator at Frontenac, Mark Magee—a former Queen’s coach. “He’s kind of the reason I fell in love with the game,” Vreeken said.

Even as basketball offers came his way, Vreeken found himself increasingly drawn to the gridiron. Summers spent training with the Queen’s football team strengthened his connection to the sport and the program.

The relationships he built there, he said, ultimately became the deciding factor in choosing to wear the Tricolour.

Vreeken’s tall, athletic build at 6’4’’, allows him to see the whole field and use his strong arm to make plays. Through his work ethic and knowledge of the game, he can stay calm in the pocket or scramble when pressure’s near. These attributes make him a valuable quarterback on the field.

Up until this year, Vreeken’s Queen’s career showed flashes of greatness but had

Both the Queen’s men’s and women’s teams will travel to Sherbrooke, QC., to compete at the U Sports Cross Country

and their run at the OUA playoffs, where the Gaels look to make a push for the provincial crown.With the hometown quarterback finishing up his fifth year at Queen’s, Vreeken has established himself as one of the best players in Canada. His breakout regular season featured 18 passing touchdowns, good for third among all U Sports quarterbacks. Gaels can catch number 12 live on OUA.tv on Nov. 1, as the Queen’s men’s football team to Windsor avenge their homecoming and face the Windsor Lancers the OUA semifinals. Stay tuned for more player profiles coming

Fall Horoscopes: What the stars have in store

With the leaves falling down, your luck might just fall into place

THE PSYCHIC SCHOLAR

Lean in to the whispers of the falling leaves; your stars may be telling you a thing or two about your future.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Taurus, your season’s yet to come. Don’t worry if it feels like your life’s falling apart or that all your efforts have been in vain. Keep pushing through the rain and gloom—your moment might be just around the corner, and the cosmos are ready to see your potential.

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22)

The next month may put you in a bit of a bind. Both you and the stars seem conflicted about your future. You might not feel confident in the path you’ve laid out for yourself, so take some time to reflect—ask whether it’s truly what you want, or if it’s something others expect of you.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

This weekend might be one of the roughest you’ve had in a while. Recovering from a back to back weekend is tough, but be careful not to go all out again, otherwise, it could be hard to convince the stars to turn your luck around, and you might have only yourself to blame.

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

After a reading break that made you want to disappear, fall is when you truly thrive. The energy, the gloom, and even the looming deadlines all come together, and the hard work will pay off in the end. Surely, the cosmos aren’t lying.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19)

You’ve wanted to enjoy a peaceful fall, Capricorn, but your romantic interest has been clouding your mind more than the morning fog. It’s time to step back and reassess where both of your paths are heading. Prioritize your own peace and clarity instead of losing yourself in the process.

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20)

After a whirlwind summer, you’ve finally secured the job you’ve been hoping for. The stars are aligning in your favour, and this cosmic boost might not stop at your career, your love life could be next. Keep putting in the work, and everything might just fall into place.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21)

You might be the luckiest of all signs this season. Everything seems to be working in your favour: your Uber arrives on time, your grades are top-notch, your professors love you, and I’m not sure what you’ve done in your life, but it sure has made the stars happy.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

Like clockwork, your motivation is on fire this season! Ride this energy all the way to the end of the semester. Fall is your time to romanticize your life—grab your friends, hit a cute coffee shop, and snap those Instagram-worthy pics that scream “baddie energy.”

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21)

Sagittarius, fall is calling your name. This season, the universe approves of doing absolutely nothing and loving it. Curl up by a window with a cozy blanket, sip hot cocoa like it’s your superpower, and let your favorite romcom sweep you off your feet. Messages? They can wait. Responsibilities? Later. Your peace and comfort come first, because winter is lurking just around the corner.

ACROSS

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5 Oil grp.

9 The kind of tie you need to wear to dress as Fred from Scooby-Doo

Mardi Gras locale, in slang

'The Kooks' hit

Daniel ____ Kim

The I of TGIF

Trip of a lifetime

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Exhausted

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Rules, for short

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Peru capital

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Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22)

A spiced latte in one hand and the newest season of Love is Blind in the other—this is your ultimate survival kit for gloomy, rainy days. The semester pressure is mounting, but a little treat for yourself? Totally cosmic-approved.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22)

Virgo, stop neglecting your friends. We all know how important your academic life is to you, and how tempting it is to stay in a cozy bed, but it doesn’t hurt to get out once in a while and enjoy some time with them. The year’s going by faster than you realize, don’t end up regretting not spending time with your friends when adulthood is just around the corner.

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Acts of kindness

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Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb 18)

Aquarius, enough messing around. Summer’s over, and those lazy days at the pier are behind you. It’s time to hit the books, because exam season’s creeping up fast, and it’s coming for a fight you’re not ready to lose.

ARTS & CULTURE

Queen’s Music Club hosts new student bands for memorable Mansion concert

‘We wanted to do something a little different,’ co-president says

SAM SHAFFER & MARIJKA VERNOOY Journal Staff

Last Friday night, The Mansion was electric as three new student bands played their hearts out.

On Oct. 24, Queen’s Music Club (QMC) presented bands TwoTime, Sleep on the Couch, and Doghouse to kick off the faux-Homecoming (FOCO) weekend. However, the show was marketed as a Homecoming (HOCO) offering. Set lists featured everything from ABBA to Guns N’ Roses, serenading the nearly 100-person audience with a variety of musical favourites. With a roaring return to campus after Fall Reading Week, student bands appear ready to keep playing the hits through midterms. Despite a successful evening,

the event faced some setbacks. On the way to the show, TwoTime’s bassist Saif Amer’s bus was stranded on Highway 401 for over an hour.

After pushing the show 30 minutes until Amer arrived, openers TwoTime began the event at 8:30 p.m. with “Sex on Fire” by Kings of Leon.

Lead vocalist Maxim Cameron, CompSci ’29, showed a large vocal range, setting the bar high for the evening.

In an interview with The Journal, Cameron said TwoTime is “excited” to join the Kingston music scene. “We’ve all played in bands before, but we were kids. We’ve always been aware of the Queen’s music scene but it’s something you can’t get into if you’re younger,” he said. After almost three years of practicing together, TwoTime’s chemistry shone through onstage, giving them the feel of Mansion regulars. Sleep on the Couch followed TwoTime at 9:30 p.m. with a cover of Metric’s “Black Sheep”

ArtSci ‘84

and The Cars’ “Just What I Needed.” The musical vibe for the evening seemed to focus on upbeat karaoke anthems, with Sleep on the Couch encouraging audience members to dance and sing along.

During Michael Jackson’s “Beat It,” the crowd had the Mansion’s top floor creaking and groaning.

When Doghouse finally took the stage at 10:30 p.m., the frenzied crowd was reinvigorated with a slew of technically brilliant covers like Dire Straits’ “Sultans of Swing.”

“We play what the people want,” keyboardist Nathan Trudeau, ArtSci ’27, said in an interview with The Journal. For a group that’s only been together for a year, Doghouse’s performance felt like the early sign of Queen’s next big band on the rise. Audience members seemed to agree, as the band’s cheering section was one of the evening’s largest.

QMC Co-President Beth Armstrong, CompSci ’26, said in an interview with The

Journal that the HOCO show replaced the club’s traditional Battle of the Bands as their October event. “It’s Homecoming, and we wanted to be fun and do something a little different,” she said.

Reflecting on the lineup of relatively new student bands, Armstrong said that in her first year at Queen’s, established groups like Kings of Queen’s dominated the music scene. Welcoming so many new groups to the stage is “very affirming” of QMC’s efforts to connect musicians at Queen’s.

Excitement from new bands reflects a wider increase in musicality that co-president Andy Ganea, HealthSci ’26, noticed at QMC’s jam sessions. In recent weeks, “the room’s basically filled,” he said of QMC’s jam space in an interview with The Journal. QMC’s numbers “have been continually growing since my first year,” Ganea said.

Armstrong said QMC hopes to

host a Battle of the Bands event “sometime this year.” In the meantime, bands and clubs alike are surely enjoying this renaissance for student music.

The ARC’s souTh

wAll hAs A new look

New mural ‘We!’ highlights diverse cultural identities

Marijka Vernooy

Senior Arts and Culture Editor

As winter quickly approaches, Queen’s colours fade after HOCO and FOCO. Campus got a fresh pop of colour this week.

The exterior south-facing wall of the Queen’s Athletics and Recreation Centre (ARC) now features a new mural from Montreal-based artist Anna Jane McIntyre.

continued online at www.queensjournal.ca

Limestone Animation puts Kingston on the big screen with R.L. Stine adaptation

Local animation studio wants Kingston to become major Canadian animation hub

Daniel Gill Assistant Arts & Culture Editor

A new Kingston-based animation studio is taking its first steps toward turning the city into a national hub for digital storytelling.

Founded by animation industry veterans Sean Connolly and Donnie MacIntyre, Limestone Animation launched this fall with municipal support and

an ambitious debut project: an animated adaptation of R.L. Stine’s Stinetinglers, the author’s newest book series.

“Donnie and I both have decades of experience in content development and sales,” Connolly wrote in a statement to The Journal. He explains that the duo hopes to combine knowledge of the animation industry with modern technology.

“There are so many emerging

technologies today, and by embracing those on day one, we feel we can be very competitive in the international marketplace,” Connolly said.

Connolly MacIntyre, who served as Kingston’s film commissioner from 2023-24, was instrumental in identifying the city as a potential base for the studio.

“During that time, [he] saw how strong a creative community Kingston already had,” Connolly said. “When we began looking into starting a studio, Kingston was

a clear frontrunner.” The studio’s vision was backed by the City of Kingston and the Kingston Film and Media Office, which provided Limestone with a rent-free space, a property tax exemption, and other start-up support. Beyond content creation, Limestone aims to become a fixture in Kingston’s cultural community by offering workshops, open houses, and training opportunities for local artists and students.

“Once we’re in production, we hope to engage the talent coming

from Queen’s and Loyalist, as well as seasoned producers, artists, and writers in the city and surrounding areas,” Connolly wrote.

Launching with Stinetinglers was a deliberate choice, where Connolly said “it was important to launch the studio with a big-name project.” Connolly explained how R.L. Stine’s among the biggest authors in the world. “The fact that no one has ever adapted his works into an animated series before [is] surprising.”

Limestone plans to animate Stinetinglers in a style inspired by Japanese anime and is already in talks with Japanese studios about potential co-production. “We’re interested in finding ways of working with partners in other countries to broaden our scope,” Connolly said. International partnership ties into Limestone’s philosophy as a creative hub that “celebrates the art of animation in all its forms,” he said.

In the future, Limestone’s founders hope to see their work reach audiences around the world. “We want recognizable projects on screens globally,” Connolly said. “Not just hit projects, but a consistency across artistry, writing, and execution that allows viewers to identify a show as specifically a Limestone project.”

With strong city support and a high-profile launch project, Limestone Animation hopes to spark a new era of creative industry in Kingston, proving the city can hold its own among Canada’s established animation centres.

Winter’s coming, and so is thermostat drama

‘Tis the season of group chat fights over who’s touching the thermostat

Sarah Adams Editor in Chief

With temperatures falling outside, tensions indoors are heating up over the thermostat.

The yearly thermostat wars are back as November approaches, raging in house group chats everywhere. What starts as a calm discussion about comfort can devolve into chaos faster than the inevitable snowfall, making me question whether any of us actually know how to be adults about the heat.

Let’s start with a rational approach. Heating’s a shared utility in most houses, which should make it a collective decision. But no—every home seems to have that one die-hard thermostat enthusiast who waits until no one’s watching to nudge up the dial. Suddenly, “shared” living feels a lot less collective.

It comes without warning. You’re mid-assignment or fast asleep when suddenly, sweat starts pouring down your face. That’s when you know—the thermostat traitor has made their move.

Thermostat lovers never seem to grasp a simple truth: you can always add more layers, but you can’t peel off skin to cool

down. And at a certain point, cracking a window just doesn’t cut it. So, naturally, you grab your phone and send a casual “hey, did someone turn the heat on” text to the group chat. Suddenly, World War III breaks out. From my highly unofficial research, common justifications include: “the thermostat’s just finicky,” “I don’t want to be cold in my own house,” and my personal favourite—uttered in mid-October when it’s still 15 degrees—“I’m just preventing the pipes from freezing.” Sure.

But beyond the drama and excuses, there’s a real cost to all this thermostat chaos. For students living paycheck to paycheck—or off dwindling summer savings—one person’s thermostat obsession can drain both bank accounts and sanity.

To finally settle the age-old debate, the solutions are simple.

For the thermostat lover: before you get the irresistible urge to turn up the heat, you might try putting on another layer, grabbing a blanket, making a hot cup of tea, or taking a quick shower to warm up. If you haven’t, step away from the dial. Trust me—a thick pair of sweatpants and a fleece go further than you think.

If you’re on team anti-

heat, maybe rethink that passive-aggressive message you’re drafting for the group chat. Try expressing your frustration in a kinder way. Also, if you’re outnumbered, it might be time to accept defeat.

The best solution, though, is to take the conversation out of the group chat. Set aside 15 to 30 minutes to talk as a house

and agree on what the temperature should look like for the colder months ahead. Once you’ve set that boundary, it’s easier to hold the thermostat lover accountable or gently call out the passive-aggressive texter when they take things too far. In the end, holding important

conversations about your shared living spaces face-to-face is the best way to turn down the heat on the thermostat debate. If practical conversations make things chilly among housemates, you can always throw on another sweater.

Union Gallery pairs storytelling and craft in new exhibitions

‘Loan Stars’ and ‘Weaving Turns’ center beadwork and weaving in visually stunning fall displays

Daniel Gill Assistant Arts & Culture Editor

It was a big week at the Union Gallery (UG).

Two new exhibitions opened at UG, located on the first floor of Joseph F. Stauffer Library, earlier this week. Both exhibits invite visitors to explore storytelling through material forms. In Loan Stars: Beading Back our Manidoo, Nico Williams presents beading as an act of cultural and spiritual exchange, while Jung-Ah Kim’s Weaving Turns turns collaboration into woven dialogue. Loan Stars runs from Oct. 28 to Dec. 13, and Weaving Turns continues until Nov. 15.

In Loan Stars, Williams transforms UG’s Main Space into an homage to pawn shops, displaying intricate beadwork by Williams and other artists. The pawn shop setting invokes ideas of

exchange, survival and spiritual resurgence. The title is a layered reference to pop culture and tradition: “Loan Stars” parodies Pawn Stars (2009), a popular American reality television show about pawn shops. The word manidoo is Anishinaabemowin for “spirit.”

Williams, inspired by witnessing the 2008 financial crisis and the pawn-shop circuit drew on his experience, using it as metaphor for archival history. “For Indigenous communities, however, pawn shops have long carried another meaning: alternative systems of survival where exchange and trust make life possible,” Williams wrote in his artist statement. “That cycle of giving, losing, and redeeming objects informs the title of this exhibition.”

In person, Loan Stars was striking. The beadwork was elevated by the wealth of unusual objects chosen to bead. Among the exhibition’s pieces were traditional earrings, satchels and tapestries. But the most captivating work sat in a glass display case at the centre of the gallery: a collection of movie and video-game boxes with dazzling, intricate

beaded covers.

Resting atop the case was a retro CRT television looping gameplay footage from Pocahontas (1995), a video game for the Sega Genesis. The installation’s blend of cultural practices with nostalgic pop-culture felt both playful and reverent, an unexpected bridge between past and present iterations of Indigenous storytelling.

While Williams explores the exchange of stories through objects, Kim explores it through direct process and participation.

Weaving Turns is housed in the Project Room. Kim reimagines the frame loom as both a collaborative tool and a shared game board. In each session, a participant who’s signed up for a timeslot sits across from Kim at a horizontal loom; they both begin weaving from opposite sides, taking turns one pick at a time. In this way, the exhibit is durational, involving the viewer in the process of creation.

Each player draws from a stack of cards, which contain

different and simple, game-like instructions that either mirror, disrupt, or respond to one another. After the game is complete, each uniquely woven piece is cut from the loom and displayed in the gallery, adding to the installation. In both Loan Stars and Weaving Turns, both artists champion the unity of art and craft. Their works reveal that the slow, deliberate processes of beading and weaving are just as beautiful as their final forms.

The Screening Room wraps seasonal showings of ‘Rocky Horror’ as film turns 50

Owner Wendy Huot discusses costumes, audience culture, and the film’s contributions to

Marijka Vernooy Senior Arts & Culture Editor

Last Friday, my housemates and I scrambled to finish our makeup, pull our outfits together, and rush out the door. But we weren’t hitting the bars—we were heading to The Screening Room.

Kingston’s locally-owned, independent cinema has screened The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) every Halloween season since 2011, when current owner Wendy Huot took over operations. Rocky Horror is a staple in Queer cinema, with a rich culture of audiences dressing up as characters, quoting scenes aloud, and throwing props at the screen. This year, the film celebrated 50 years of mayhem with a 4k Restoration version, which The Screening Room featured at showings.

During showings, audience members toss items from playing cards to toilet paper into the air at specific moments during the movie. A commercial failure upon release in ’75, Rocky Horror became a cult classic after midnight screenings at New York City’s Waverly Theater in 1976 made it popular among teenagers and young adults, particularly of the underground Queer community.

Bringing Rocky Horror to Kingston each year was

the “[number one] on my priority list,” Huot wrote in a statement to The Journal.

The Screening Room offers an annual “Queer Night” showing, which took place on Oct. 23 this year. “This is always the first of our

Queer cinema

Rocky Horror screens to sell out, with the most audience participation during the movie,” Huot wrote. “And the most cleanup afterwards… ha!” Huot noted Rocky Horror was “ahead of its time,” creating a safe

space to play with clothing and expression for audiences.

“For a movie that turned 50 this year, I’d say it’s positive, joyful, Queer sensibility has held up incredibly well,” Huot wrote.

“The only problem we’ve with doing a single screening labeled the ‘Queer Night’ is that all 11 of our annual screenings

of Rocky Horror are queer-forward!” Huot wrote. Shadow casts of audience members costumed as characters commonly perform alongside cinema showings, famously depicted in Stephen Chbosky’s Perks of Being a Wallflower. When I attended a Screening Room showing on Oct. 24, two friends leapt onstage to show off homemade choreography to “I Can Make You a Man.”

Though Kingston has no official shadow cast, “we’d be happy to be the venue when some passionate Kingstonians are ready to organize and make it happen,” Huot wrote.

For the time being, local audiences seem content to simply show up and celebrate a film they love. For Queer Night’s sold-out showing, The Screening Room held their annual costume contest. Though there were winners across several categories for each character, Huot especially liked one post-murder “Dead Eddie” look.

“My favourite costumes are the glittery ‘floor show’ feather boa/fishnet costumes,” Huot wrote. At my sold-out showing, the carpet was littered with glitter, feathers, and hordes of props as audience members filed out. Yet, Huot isn’t worried about audience members being too enthusiastic. “Actually, the more ‘outside the norm’ you are, the better,” she wrote.

The Screening Room will show Rocky Horror for the last time this year on Oct. 31.

Witnessing cancer up close inspired my quest to understand it

The pursuit of finding the answers to the unanswerable

Mabel Johnson Copy Editor

I’ve learned that success to me means little without purpose, and my efforts gain value when they contribute to something bigger than myself.

I was only seven years old when my grandma was diagnosed with breast cancer. I didn’t really understand what it was or why it couldn’t be cured. The curiosity of why it was getting worse, then better, later worse again, infatuated me as a child—it made my sadness translate into confusion and then into anger.

“I felt an overwhelming sense of desperation trying to find the answer for myself and my family...

I was eight years old when she passed away. Even though I was too young to know at the time, I felt an overwhelming sense of desperation trying to find the answer for myself and my family because it didn’t sit right with me that we lost her after she had fought this battle so hard and for so long.

The following year, my elementary school teacher

tasked my class with creating a “genius hour” presentation, which meant making a presentation about something we were passionate about and that would spark a ten-year-old’s interest as well as satisfy my teacher, who was just hoping we would be able to pull together a presentation that was at least somewhat understandable.

“Fuelled by my emotions and my unanswered questions about my grandma, I walked up to the front of class all prepared to present.

Fuelled by my emotions and my unanswered questions about my grandma, I walked up to the front of class all prepared to present. “Is there a cure for Cancer?” I wasn’t going off any background knowledge—the most we’d learned in our generic science classes consisted of food chains, or solids, liquids and gases. At the time, I was grasping for anything to ease the pain of losing someone so kind-hearted and full of life. My grandmother embodied health and compassion in the strongest form. She was active, and took the health of herself and those close to her so seriously that it was inspiring. I used to watch her run in charity races, cheering from the sidelines and thinking, “Wow, I want to be like just her.”

She also had a gift for making every holiday feel magical. I try to carry her spirit with me in everything I do, but there isn’t a single holiday dinner where her absence isn’t felt. She mattered so deeply to me, and I was convinced that this rare opportunity to present whatever I wanted to would fill that void.

Now that 13 years have passed, my yearning to understand science and its unanswered questions has been the forefront of my passion. When I began applying to university, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do, as the world felt like my oyster. But I knew my passion laid in research and uncovering truths within a sea of scientific ambiguity.

I’d an itch to leave my comfortable town of Whitby, Ontario and move to the coastal city of Victoria, British Columbia. A place that seemed full of possibility where I could hopefully adhere to my calling of research, in whatever specialty I gravitated to. To my dismay, I had to return home to Ontario, only after four weeks of being away.

“What

felt like defeat or failure was really

just redirection.

What felt like defeat or failure was really just redirection. A lesson that one can go through numerous times in their career and everyday life. I just felt helpless at the time and didn’t know what to do.

All I was certain about was that I wanted to keep learning. I still had the same motivations to do biological research; I just needed to find some other place to do it.

I could’ve taken the year off after exams had finished, but I didn’t want to. That led me to Queen’s. I had to wait until the next year to fully transfer, so I enrolled through a Letter of Permission in the online undergraduate health sciences program. It was more specific than my initial program, biology, but it was still relevant to my interests and kept me in the classroom.

I began loving what I was learning again, and where I was learning it. It was the reset I needed.

“I now see it as the sign that returned me to my original inspiration of studying cancer.

I now see this relocation as the sign that returned me to my original inspiration of studying cancer. I was especially excited about the research lab opportunities that Queen’s had to offer That’s what I wanted to immerse myself in the most, as that’s how I would find my niche through hands-on learning in a real scientific environment—I couldn’t have been more ecstatic.

It was a strenuous process. It seemed like everyone was trying for lab assistant positions,

but what I chose to emphasize in my applications was that I couldn’t stay a bystander while lives were being threatened or taken away.

“I deeply care to help advance a future where lives are no longer defined by cancer.

I deeply care to help advance a future where lives are no longer defined by cancer.

Within a year of when I first applied to cancer research positions, five family members and close friends have been diagnosed with cancer, all with various types and stages. The deterioration that I’ve witnessed over the last 12 months has been nothing short of terrible.

My genuine concern waivered into an incentive to work hard and immerse myself in pathology, microbiology and immunology. The severity of the disease coincides with its complexity.

Cancer’s a puzzle that’s ever so interesting to me, and my motivation’s credited to my corresponding fear that anyone in my life can be affected at any time. I wanted to conduct this type of research because cancer has taken too much from people I love. Seeing what they’ve gone through fuels my drive to understand the disease.

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