While having friends on campus contributes to a great university experience, there are a multitude of benefits to maintaining long distance friendships across universities
The pandemic greatly impacted how students make friendships during their university careers. According to Reddit user u/Bbso1229, “COVID took that friendship building experience away from me and everyone else in my first year.” They further elaborated that although extroverted, they have difficulty creating friendships due to pre-established friend groups formed during the pandemic.
Some McMaster students have noticed the similar struggles that are faced by commuter students and have created the McMaster Society for Off-Campus Students. This society aims to cater to the needs of commuter students and helps them feel included within the McMaster community. McMaster SOCS aims to help commuter students form friendships with those who can relate to their experiences.
Unfortunately, for commuter students or individuals who choose to live off-campus during their first year, the experience of u/Bbso1229 is much more commonly shared than you may think. It is difficult for individuals to make friends during a time of limited social interaction. It proves even more complicated when most of the individuals they interact with on campus have their own established friend groups.
As a former commuter student myself, it has been difficult to make friends with peers during undergrad. This especially rings true if you are attending a different university than your high school peers. On a positive note, the difficulty of making new friendships during the pandemic has lead to some creating stronger bonds within pre-existing friendships. Many individuals, including myself, have turned to childhood friendships for support.
As a former commuter student myself, it has been difficult for students such as myself to make friends with peers during undergrad.
Though distance may make it seem difficult to maintain old friendships, one of the largest benefits of possessing a friendship with a student who attends another university is the professional opportunities, such as research opportunities or jobs, that it could expose you. While McMaster is a research-intensive institute, it could sometimes be difficult for students to secure a position due to the popularity of student-sought research opportunities.
Fortunately, expanding your friend group can also expand your network; your friends could introduce you to their network, thus giving you access to more connections.
Fortunately, expanding your friend group can also expand your network; your friends could introduce you to their network, thus giving you access to more connections.
With an expanded network, students have many more opportunities to connect with individuals who are researching or working in the student’s subject of interest. Although this may sound difficult to accomplish since you do not attend that university, your friend’s own network is now shared with you, allowing you to also explore the potential connections within their network.
Additionally, inter-university friendships do not necessarily result in the same degree of competition between friends and instead spark encouragement due to the lack of similarity in work. Since courses are not structured identically across universities, the variance in coursework downregulates a competitive nature in students. It can be difficult to compare yourself to your friend when you are following a different course breakdown.
It can be difficult to compare yourself to your friend when you are following a different course breakdown.
Although having a friend group at your university can better integrate you into the community and make you feel at home where you study, it certainly does not hurt to expand your network to different universities. With the numerous benefits of having friends living far from you, it may be best to rekindle the childhood friendships that may have fell apart since beginning university.
This Canadian singer making waves in the music industry will be performing in Hamilton this weekend at the Zoetic Theatre
Amanda Keeles, an Ontario native, is a country singer-songwriter. She will be performing her album Can't Stop Me Now on Apr. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Zoetic Theatre. There will also be a special guest performance by Paige Rutledge and their show will focus on country classic rock originals from the album.
Keeles has been singing and writing songs her whole life, though she initially pursued a career in finance. She returned to music though after the end of her marriage when Keeles felt that there was nothing now standing in her way, so she returned to the studio, recorded an album and is now on tour.
The country singer explained that every song she's written has been inspired by a moment in her life.
"It's funny because I always say to people that songwriting is like therapy. Because sometimes when you get all those feelings and everything and you put them down on paper, that not only is good for you, but it also kind of puts the whole picture into perspective when you put it down on paper," said Keeles.
Keeles believed her album is unique due to all the music sounding completely different. With her various musical influences, from classic country to rock and pop, each song is a bit different and with a mix of instrumental and upbeat songs Can't Stop Me Now should include something for everyone.
The reception for her album has been overwhelmingly positive. Three weeks after the release of Can't Stop Me Now the title track was the sixth most downloaded Canadian song and the seventh most active indie song, according to Billboard Canada.
Keeles has consistently been greeted by excited crowds while performing this song and others on her tour. She has also enjoyed seeing people stay after shows for a meet-and-greet, a signature or the chance to buy some concert merchandise.
Keeles hoped that listeners take something positive and meaningful from her album.
"We've all been through different experiences where sometimes you feel like you're the only one that's going through them. But then you'll hear a song and you'll go "That's my song." So I hope that as people hear the album, they'll come across the song [they find] relatable," explained Keeles.
We've all been through different experiences where sometimes you feel like you're the only one that's going through them. But then you'll hear a song and you'll go "That's my song." So I hope that as people hear the album, they'll come across the song [they find] relatable.
Amanda Keeles, singer-songwriter
Keeles encouraged students to follow their heart and their dreams and not to let other people tell them they shouldn't pursue something they're passionate about. There is always the element of wondering what could have happened, so instead of wondering, Keeles suggested just following the path.
Tickets to Keeles' show can be found here. The promo code for McMaster students for a discounted rate, $10, is ALBUM24.
As McMaster University shows support for the blue-ribbon panel’s proposal for a tuition increase, student's may find themselves having to pay more in 2024/2025
In Ontario, many universities are currently experiencing financial deficits. Most recently, Queen’s University hired external Nous Group to manage its ongoing financial situation, which has resulted in a hiring freeze at the university. A contributing factor to these ongoing financial crises is the Ontario government's 2019 tuition freeze and 10 per cent reduction in tuition fees.
The Ontario government formed a blue-ribbon panel in March 2023 to address the root cause of these financial deficits. This panel has engaged in consultations with several stakeholders, including Canadian Federation of Students and Ontario and College Student Alliance. They collected in written submissions from groups in Ontario. In combination of discussion with stakeholders and written submissions formulated a report that proposed solutions for both universities and the Ontario government.
One of the solutions for the ongoing financial deficits suggested by the blue-ribbon panel was to remove the tuition freeze and increase undergraduate tuition by five per cent for the 2024/2025 academic year. They also suggested an increase per year, which would either be by two per cent per year or the percentage increase of the consumer price index. In Canada, the consumer price index is meant to look at how prices for goods change over a designated period of time. As of January 2024 the current percentage difference of the consumer price index is 2.9 per cent.
At McMaster University, the standard course load for a full-time student is 15 units per semester or 30 units per academic year. Tuition for an Ontario-resident third-year sciences student is approximately $5,955.30, not including additional faculty fees or student union fees. If the 5 per cent tuition increase were implemented, these students would pay $6,253.07 by their fourth year.
Similarly, Ontario-resident second-year engineering students currently pay $12,109.68 in tuition, which would increase to $12,715.16 by their fourth year.
McMaster Students Union president Jovan Popovic stated the MSU stands firmly against a tuition increase. He added that the initial tuition freeze in 2019 has been valuable for many students struggling to afford basic necessities.
“We are in a time of an affordability crisis, where it's become increasingly difficult for students to live with all the costs surrounding them. Whether that be food, transportation, just cost of living in terms of housing, leases rent, it's become so increasingly challenging that having at least one thing going for them with the tuition freeze is a serious help,” said Popovic.
We are in a time of an affordability crisis, where it's become increasingly difficult for students to live with all the costs surrounding them. Whether that be food, transportation, just cost of living in terms of housing, leases rent, it's become so increasingly challenging that having at least one thing going for them with the tuition freeze is a serious help.
Jovan Popovic, President, McMaster Students Union
McMaster University provided the Silhouette with a written statement in which they expressed that a tuition increase is important, though they hope that the government will simultaneously increase financial aid, to ensure sustainability for students.
“A modest increase to tuition, accompanied by increases to student financial aid, would help strengthen universities’ ability to continue setting aside funds to support student success,” said McMaster University, in a written statement to the Silhouette.
On Jan. 31, the government of Ontario spoke at a press conference to the recommendations for tuition increase and explained that while domestic in-province students will not experience an increase in tuition, domestic out-of-province students could experience upwards of a five per cent tuition increase.
Popovic believed that ultimately students shouldn't suffer as a result of the financial deficits of the institution. He shared that these gaps in funding should be supplemented by the government of Ontario.
“We support more funding for universities. We just don't support it coming at the stake of students who can hardly afford to live,” said Popovic.
We support more funding for universities. We just don't support it coming at the stake of students who can hardly afford to live.
Jovan Popovic, President, McMaster Students Union
Abigail Samuels, MSU vice-president (education) and Malika Dhanani, Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance’s executive director, shared similar sentiments to Popovic. They stated that this pattern of underfunding within the university goes back almost a decade and has been further exacerbated amid tuition freezes. However, they also noted that the problem is rooted in the fact the government hasn’t increased funding for Ontario universities in that time.
“The pattern of underfunding from provincial brands has been very prevalent throughout the years. Then what kind of exacerbated the issue was the fact that tuition was cut. . .without the gap in funding being supplemented through provincial grants, it has limited the amount of revenue that institutions are getting for their operating revenue,” said Dhanani.
The pattern of underfunding from provincial brands has been very prevalent throughout the years. Then what kind of exacerbated the issue was the fact that tuition was cut.
Malika Dhanani, executive director, Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance
The government of Ontario recently announced that they will be providing over $1 billion to funding for Ontario universities. From that, $900 million will be pooled into an education sustainability fund.
The Council of Ontario Universities responded to this announcement stating that even though they appreciate the funding, they still encourage the government of Ontario to consider the full extent of the blue-ribbon panel’s recommendation for government-based funding. The recommendation they are referring to is a 10 per cent increase to the current government-based funding, with the same opportunity for growth as the student tuition growth.
Prior to the government's funding announcement, Samuels and Dhanani expressed the urgency of securing adequate funding for universities from the government of Ontario. When universities begin to experience these financial deficits, programs begin the suffer. This includes mental health resources and accessibility services. Samuels commented on the importance of understanding that the lack of government funding has ripple effects that will directly impact students. Samuels and Dhanani expressed that they hope the government of Ontario reflects on the recommendations shared by many of the stakeholders.
"When we think about the impacts of limited provincial funding, we have to think about the actual well-being, and health impacts it has on students and what that does to them for in the future... I think the idea of increased sector funding always trickles down to ethe unintended adverse impacts we don't necessarily think of, but that have real consequences for students," said Samuels.
I think the idea of increased sector funding always trickles down to ethe unintended adverse impacts we don't necessarily think of, but that have real consequences for students.
Abigail Samuels, vice-president (education), McMaster Students Union
In summary, the MSU and OUSA stand against the tuition increase and urge for more government-based funding to support universities. This is an ongoing story.
Queen's University is among the many Ontario post-secondary institutions facing exacerbated financial deficits
On Jan. 25, Queen’s University announced they they would begin working with Nous Group to address their financial struggles.
These financial struggles are part of a larger issue many universities in Ontario are currently facing. In a report by a blue-ribbon panel, created by the Ontario provincial government to ensure long-term financial sustainability in post-secondary education in the province it was found that in Ontario universities currently receive the least amount of money per entering student in comparison to other provinces.
Furthermore, the Council of Ontario Universities noted that 10 universities are currently predicted to have a total of $175 million in operating deficit.
Many universities are blaming their financial strife on the tuition fee reduction in 2019 and the subsequent tuition freeze policy. These were implemented in 2019 after provincial government had removed the system that provided tuition rides for low-income students through the Ontario Student Assistance Program.
Queen's University currently reports its financial deficit at $48 million, which had originally been marked at $62.8 million. On Queen's University's website, they credit this improvement to enacting a hiring freeze and adjustments of budgets.
To improve their finances, Queen's is now working with international consultancy firm Nous Group and has introduced their operations as the Queen’s Renew Project. The timeline for their project has not been released. However, they have emphasized that the goal is to address the financial concerns through internal review and suggest redirection.
A group called Queen’s Coalition Against Austerity has formed in opposition to the controversial Queen's hiring freeze.
This state of financial crisis is not unique to Queen's and is being experienced by the majority of Ontario post-secondary institutions. McMaster University has also begun to take steps to address their financial issues.
The institution has announced that their finances are being managed internally and have released written financial goals through the published blue-ribbon panel report.
With the recent updates to their financial management, Queen's University principal Patrick Deane stated in a published message, "I am hopeful that as we have done in the past, we will face obstacles together and emerge stronger for our efforts."
This is an ongoing story.
The new bylaw will require renters to prove unit vacancy necessary for renovations, aiming to stop “bad faith” renovictions
The city of Hamilton is set to become the first city to act at the municipal level to reduce the number of “renovictions”. A new bylaw set to come into action Jan. 1, 2025 will require renters to pay for an eviction licence and make it more difficult to evict tenants for the purpose of performing renovations.
A renoviction refers to when a landlord evicts tenants from a housing unit with the intention of performing repairs and/or renovation, typically with the intent of raising the rent afterwards. When a renter wishes to evict a tenant(s) for these purposes, they issue an N-13 eviction notice to the tenant.
N-13 eviction notices are considered no-fault eviction notices, as renters are not required to prove tenants have done something wrong or violated their responsibilities. Landlord’s are also not required to provide tenants with proof that they are in fact intending to perform renovations.
Already in place to dissuade landlord’s from evicting renters and performing renovations with the intent of raising rent afterwards is Bill 184, the Protecting Tenants and Strengthening Community Housing Act.
Bill 184 places fines on renters places fines on renters who have evicted tenants in “bad faith,” which includes when renters evict tenants to perform renovations and then later rent to other tenants and/or raises the rent. Landlord’s proven to have evicted tenants in bad faith can face fines of fifty thousand dollars under Bill 184.
Despite these penalties, the incidence of N-13 renoviction notices increased 983 per cent from 2017 to 2022. Additionally, as reported by CBC Toronto in November 2023, of the 13 fines issued for bad-faith evictions in Ontario, only four had been paid at the time of reporting. Most of these fines were also for less than five thousand dollars, far below the $50 000 maximum.
Hamilton’s new bylaw, the Renovations Licence and Relocation Bylaw, will require landlords to provide proof from a qualified engineer that renovating their unit requires the unit to be vacant. Landlords will also need to obtain a licence to issue an N-13 eviction notice at a cost of $715 dollars.
As a result, renters will no longer be able to evict tenants for minor renovations for which having the unit vacant is deemed unnecessary by an expert.
In cases where an N-13 license is approved, landlord’s will also be required to provide alternative living accommodations or compensation during the time of the renovation.
The General Issues Committee, which includes the mayor and all city councillors, voted in favour of the new bylaw on Jan 17, but still needed to be ratified at the next council meeting on Jan 24. In an email statement to the Silhouette, Antonella Giancarlo, Senior Communications Officer of the City Manager's Office, confirmed on behalf of Acting City Clerk Janet Pilon that the bylaw was approved at the meeting on Jan 24, but will not take effect until Jan 1 2025.
In an email statement to the Silhouette, Antonella Giancarlo, Senior Communications Officer of the City Manager's Office, confirmed on behalf of Acting City Clerk Janet Pilon that the bylaw was approved at the meeting on Jan 24, but will not take effect until Jan 1 2025.
ACORN Hamilton, the local chapter of the Association of Community Organization for Reform Now, had been advocating for a law such as this one to be adopted since as early as April 2023.
The bylaw was expected to be finalized in October 2023, but the decision was pushed back to this January to allow for more time to consider feedback and the cost of the new licence program. Once ratified, the bylaw will officially come into effect and be enforced beginning next January.
Following Hamilton’s decision to adopt the new bylaw, Acorn Hamilton has stated they are challenging all Ontario cities to follow suite and adopt similar bylaws as Hamilton.
Hamilton Centre MPP Sarah Jama was removed from caucus following public statements in support of Palestine and now serves her riding as an Independent
On Oct. 23, the Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles released a statement informing the public that Hamilton Centre MPP Sarah Jama had been removed from the caucus. Jama was first elected to caucus in Mar. 2023.
This action was taken following controversial public statements made by Jama in support of Palestinian liberation two days after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
Jama received immediate backlash following her initial statements on X, formerly Twitter, from both the community and her fellow Canadian politicians.
In response to Jama’s initial statements on X, Premier Doug Ford accused her of antisemitism and he called for her resignation from the caucus.
Stiles’ Oct. 23 statement detailed that following Jama’s initial posts and the subsequent backlash, her and Jama were able to reach an agreement to keep her in the caucus. However, Stiles stated that due to multiple “unilateral actions” that have contributed to "an unsafe work environment", the decision to remove Jama from the caucus was finalized.
Despite this decision to remove Jama, Stiles’ statement noted that the NDP would be voting against the Conservative motion to censure Jama. This motion prevents the Speaker of the House from recognizing Jama until a verbal apology is made and deletion of her original social media post.
Several public figures have spoken out in Jama’s defense, including CUPE Local 3906 President Fred Hahn and Ward 2 city councillor Cameron Kroetsch.
Kroetsch released a formal statement on Instagram, calling Jama’s removal “an extreme move, absolutely uncalled for and a terrible attempt by Premier Ford to distract from the shame and scandal his party has perpetuated while in government”.
Many continue to speak out both in support of and against Jama’s removal from caucus.
This is an ongoing story.
McMaster’s international student population faces struggles navigating the housing market, including housing scams, communication barriers and exploitative landlords.
For McMaster University students, navigating the Hamilton housing market can be a challenging experience. With a housing crisis on the rise and rent prices rapidly increasing, many McMaster students struggle to find affordable and accessible places to live.
International students in particular face unique struggles with finding housing. Fourth-year international computer science student Nisheet Kumar Sobti explained how communication barriers between international students and landlords complicate the already difficult process of finding student housing.
“First, you need to understand how difficult it is to find a house for an international student. Especially if you're coming from a different country and you speak a different language. A lot of students when they come to Canada don't even know how to speak English,” said Sobti.
First, you need to understand how difficult it is to find a house for an international student. Especially if you're coming from a different country and you speak a different language. A lot of students when they come to Canada don't even know how to speak English.
Nisheet Kumar Sobti, fourth-year computer science student
In the 2022-2023 school year, approximately 6,500 of McMaster students were international, making up 17.5 per cent of the student body. Sobti explained that the struggles specific to this student population are real and ongoing, which became most apparent to him during his experience finding housing.
“Finding a house the first time was so difficult. There were a lot of scams going on. A lot of landlords, they didn't want to give a house to international students because we couldn’t meet in-person,” said Sobti.
Housing scams can include advertisements for houses that don’t exist or already-rented properties, suspicious requests for money or false lists of amenities. Many incoming international students are unable to attend in-person house showings prior to signing a lease, making them subject to misleading advertisements or housing scams.
Second-year software engineering student Aysu Özdal echoed Sobti’s sentiments. Özdal explained that despite feeling apprehensive to sign her lease, she was desperate to find somewhere to live for the upcoming school year.
“Until the day I moved into that house, I was so scared that it could be a scam. I paid first and last months’ rent and I was so scared that it would be a scam, because there's no getting the money back,” said Özdal.
Until the day I moved into that house, I was so scared that it could be a scam. I paid first and last months’ rent and I was so scared that it would be a scam, because there's no getting the money back.
Aysu Özdal, second-year software engineering student
Özdal explained that although her lease agreement ended up being legitimate, this is not the case for every student put in her position. Beyond language barriers and physical distance, international students aren’t always well informed on their rights as a tenant and navigating potentially exploitative landlords.
McMaster arts and science graduate and current CFMU community outreach coordinator Sharang Sharma spoke on this barrier, explaining that international students a prime target for exploitative landlords.
“Half the time [international students] don't know what the laws are, what our rights are … So those kinds of predatory practices are particularly effective,” said Sharma.
Half the time [international students] don't know what the laws are, what our rights are … So those kinds of predatory practices are particularly effective.
Sharang Sharma, arts and science graduate and CFMU community outreach coordinator
McMaster does have programs in place, such as International Student Services office, that aim to address these barriers and assist international students in their transition to Canada. However, many international students still face these struggles and are victims to scams and unlawful housing conditions.
Fourth-year international health science student Vitoria Murakami Olyntho shared her thoughts on this shared circumstance and suggested some potential avenues for McMaster to get involved.
“I wish McMaster could take more of an involved role in helping students find housing. Maybe having groups of McMaster accredited landlords or regions where there's kind of a partnership between the school and the housing market…It would be easier to navigate, it would be less confusing and [feel] more trusting,” said Murakami Olyntho.
Not only does this student population face specific barriers when navigating finding places to live close to campus, such as facing housing scams and communication difficulties, but they also are often scapegoated market.
This year, federal government officials stated that the growing number of international students entering Canada has put a strain on housing availability and as a result has driven up rent prices.
Rates of issued international student study permits in Canada have increased by 75 per cent over the last five years. and this increasing blame has resulted in the federal government considering an international student cap.
Conversations around an international student cap are ongoing, all the while incoming international students continue to struggle to find secure and affordable places to live. For more information on resources for international students, visit the International Student Services office.
How fertility methods like IVF are giving more opportunities for conception for those who may not be able to and why Canada needs to do better in terms of coverage and accessibility
One thing that has always been on my adulting list is to have kids one day.
I have always wanted kids; I did not just play with my baby dolls for fun, I genuinely was excited to take care of someone one day. Little did I know just the number of complexities that come with having kids at that age.
Although we may jump to the idea of raising kids as a difficulty, simply conceiving them is a very serious difficulty that seems to still be overlooked today. Particularly, with COVID-19 passing through many of us have been rethinking our life choices, especially the grandiose ones. Thus, many have either jumped to wanting to postpone the fertility process with egg freezing or starting the process but needing a fertility services for support.
I did not understand the complexities with fertility and kids until my late teens. As I grew older and became more familiarized with my body and dealing with menstruation issues myself, the fear of infertility had been mentioned to me, so I needed to learn more.
I did not understand the complexities with fertility and kids until my late teens. As I grew older and became more familiarized with my body and dealing with menstruation issues myself, the fear of infertility had been mentioned to me, so I needed to learn more.
There are many different fertility services, for example, In-vitro fertilization, also known as IVF, is a complex series of procedures used to help with fertility and assist with the conception of a child. This is usually done by combing the sperm and the egg under a microscope, kept in a lab for a bit, then transferring the egg back.
Although this is a beautiful process and discovery, the reality dawned on me when I realized not everyone can just go through this procedure, let alone even carry a baby. Physically, many individuals with a uterus may have trouble carrying and/or conceiving a child, but many individuals who want children may not be able to conceive at all.
As they need external aid or an extra push to get things rolling, it can come with a great cost, as IVF in Ontario is around $20,000 (your first cycle covered of course by our amazing healthcare, just the first).
The cost of the overall procedures on one’s bank account, energy and overall well-being can be dreadful and traumatic. Additionally, the accessibility is not vast due to the lack of fertility coverage, yet just in the last five years, the IVF procedure has gone up by 30 per cent.
For example, Canada will only cover the first cycle of IVF and you also will not be covered for any fertility medication that you need to be on. I would love to know where the government thinks we have all this money?
Infertility affects one in six Canadians and is an even bigger barrier for those who fall in marginalized communities simply due to their sexuality, disabilities and race.
Many may already be thinking about what options to lean towards as we really are here, adulting or whatever it is.
It is important that we incorporate fertility issues and services within our sex-ed system, as many individuals are not aware of this at all, or if so, very late in life. Moreover, our government, specifically our healthcare system, has ways to go in terms of fertility.
The lack of coverage, immense costs and lack of support is immense, and it only snowballs into other issues. Creating a life can be one of the most exciting and beautiful times of one’s life, it is important we let any individual with a heart who wants to be a parent, to be a parent.
Yoohyun Park/Production Coordinator
In just a couple of days, restrictions will be loosened, and university sports will resume
On Jan. 20, it was announced that Ontario would be reverting its lockdown policy that was meant to last until Jan. 27. This means that as of Jan. 31, gyms, restaurants and other amenities will be allowed to reopen. In addition to this, the Ontario University Athletics got the green lights to continue its competitions from that date onwards.
The OUA expressed their disappointment many times with the decision from the Ontario government, deeming the OUA to be non-elite. This decision forced the organization to halt all activities due to their classification as amateur and not elite sport. Immediately, many of the athletes competing in university sports cited their anger with the decision, with the McMaster Olympic alum, Jesse Lumsden, calling the verdict a “joke.”
Now that a date is set for the return of athletes to campus and their sporting activities, what does it exactly mean to them?
Francesco Fortino, a member of the men’s wrestling team at McMaster, expressed his happiness with the OUA finally bound to resume.
“It’s pretty exciting to have some positive news relating to [the OUA]. We had a very solid first semester of training and the team has built a very solid foundation. Personally, I am very excited not only to wrestle, but to witness my teammates perform to the best of their abilities. The whole team is looking forward to coming back,” said Fortino.
“It’s pretty exciting to have some positive news relating to [the OUA]. We had a very solid first semester of training and the team has built a very solid foundation. Personally, I am very excited not only to wrestle, but to witness my teammates perform to the best of their abilities. The whole team is looking forward to coming back."
Francesco Fortino, Wrestling Team
The lockdown has also had an impact on Fortino’s preparations for the rest of the season.
“I’d be lying if I said the lockdowns have been easy. However, the lockdowns are just another obstacle that we must deal with. This sport is full of adversity and unpredictability. Preparing has been adjusted slightly, but the grind has continued like always,” said Fortino.
Although there was no activity from any team during the past month, it is important to note that the McMaster wrestling team has been outstanding this season and has been ranked in the top five teams in Canada. Like others on the team, Fortino is excited to start competing again.
“Words cannot describe how excited I am to be given another opportunity to compete. There are so many people involved in getting a successful season together. One step at a time, we are ready to move forward and perform at our best in the coming competitions,” said Fortino.
For now, the expected commencement date for the OUA championships is Feb 9. Although it is unknown whether fans will be allowed back in the stands, it is no secret that the lockdown lift has relieved many student athletes. Not only will students be returning to campus, but they will also be making a satisfying and exciting return to sports.
C/O The Canadian Press
How lockdown conditions affect indoor sports athletes
After it was announced that Ontario University Athletics sports will be put on pause until at least Jan. 27 due to a rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations, many athletes and others involved in these sports were understandably upset. This decision not only meant that they wouldn't be able to compete, but also that their preparations for the seasons ahead were also halted due to gyms and other amenities being forced to close.
In particular, the indoor sports were hit the worst. Volleyball and basketball had their seasons immediately postponed, which created a major interference. In particular, the men’s volleyball team dreaded the break the most, as they had won all their games throughout the season and still had the second half to go.
All four of McMaster’s volleyball and basketball teams had found significant success going into the break, amassing a total combined record of 18 to four.
The men’s basketball team had won five and lost only one of their OUA games, whilst going into the new year on a five win streak. Thomas Mastell, a second-year varsity basketball athlete expressed his disappointment with the season being postponed halfway through.
“Honestly, it’s just really disappointing at this point. The whole team has worked so hard this season to do well in the championship and to have it all halted all of a sudden really was stressful,” said Matsell.
“Honestly, it’s just really disappointing at this point. The whole team has worked so hard this season to do well in the championship and to have it all halted all of a sudden really was stressful,”
Thomas Mastell, Varsity Basketball Athlete
When asked about how he feels about OUA being labeled as an amateur league by the Ontario government, Matsell defended the organization and described how this decision does not consider the diligence and care invested into varsity athletics.
“I feel that we’ve all been diligent in following all the COVID protocols so far this season. We have had a clean record throughout. Furthermore, to find out that the real reason why we cannot play anymore is due to not being “elite” makes me feel as if all our hard work so far wasn’t appreciated by the government,” said Matsell.
Although the OUA is meant to resume its games on Jan. 27, there have been rumors circulating that the lockdown may be extended for even longer. What effect will this have on the players moving forward? We will have to wait to find out.
