“To encourage the use of masks, we must tear down any built-up social stigma against mask use in times of risk,” writes Rhyanna Melanson, a class of 2020 biology graduate.
Opinions
“The University of Ottawa has to stop asking students to reach out about their mental health struggles when they won’t listen to what they have to say. Instead of being asked to reach out, students need an official system where they can share their experiences,” writes Kimberley Paradis, a fourth-year computer engineering student at the University of Ottawa.
“While I have no doubts that the creators of the petition mean well, this particular issue reminds me of a similar call to action for mandatory Indigenous content courses in universities. Many of the issues raised in this regard also apply to these suggested mandatory anti-racism courses. Primarily, these mandatory courses could actually foster the toxic spaces they are meant to mitigate,” writes Sam Yee a third-year biomedical sciences and Indigenous studies student at the University of Ottawa.
Editorial: As the independent news outlet of the university, we do our best to hold the U of O administration and UOSU accountable, but we need students to stand behind us – that includes voting.
A few months ago, I read former US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power’s memoir, The Education of an Idealist. In it, she asked a question that has stuck with me since: “What is the nature of individual responsibility in the face of injustice?” writes second-year University of Ottawa Law student Nemee Bedar in a letter to the editor.
A message from our Editor-in-Chief
This pandemic has made the pre-existing and glaring inequities in our society crystal clear. If this is truly ‘the new normal,’ we ought to make it a good one for everyone.
U of O alumnus Eric Dicaire, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease in February 2016, writes of the lessons he learned on social distancing from his experience with cancer.
I find it commendable that students are taking the initiative to create new spaces to share experiences and demand action when it comes to mental health, but frankly it shouldn’t be their responsibility.
We call on the university administration to immediately implement a number of changes to their mental health care system to better support students in need.
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