A movement called “Bringing an End to Facultyphobia,” initially spawned by reactions to a Silhouette Opinions article condemning Kipling Pranks as discriminatory, quickly picked up momentum in preparation for an inter-faculty event on April 3.

But the event was not to be.

Zachary Strong, Engineering student and Facebook event creator, explained how health and safety problems prevented the actual event from occurring. He hopes for a physical, planned event during the week of April 8.

“It looks like the event is going to remain nebulous. It may not happen the way we envisioned it, but the level of discussion is there, so it’s something I’m looking forward to.”

Issue has been taken with the description of faculty stereotyping as a type of phobia. David Campbell, MSU VP (Administration), felt that “phobia is a bit overstated, simply because I think it compares it with homophobia and racial issues which go a lot deeper and have a lot of context to them.” Strong admits that this may not be the ideal word to describe the actions and behavior he has experienced or heard about second-hand.

The initial Facebook event referenced ending “Engphobia,” but it was later renamed “Facultyphobia” in order to include the wide body of students who may feel discriminated against or mistreated on the basis of their faculty.

Strong reiterated that he was intent on reaching out to other faculties, and dismissed the idea that this was an Engineering-specific phenomenon or that Engineering students would be a majority of the participants in the “End Facultyphobia” event.

The McMaster Engineering Society issued a statement on their Facebook account announcing that they had chosen to distance themselves from the End Facultyphobia movement, despite recognizing and appreciating the need to break down faculty stigmas.

“We feel it has grown out of hand and is turning out to be quite the opposite of the initial intentions to shed a positive light on our University and its faculties. We absolutely love the idea of a University wide event that fosters the growth and relationships between students. We don’t, however, think this is the proper venue or time to do so,” said the statement.

Campbell explained that while he appreciated the importance of starting inter-faculty dialogue, he believed there has been a continued decrease in faculty tension in the last few years.

Both Campbell and Strong specifically pinpointed Welcome Week as the primary vehicle for building and breaking down faculty stereotypes.

“From the planning perspective, it was a specific topic of discussion during training for faculty reps. Planners specifically discussed how cheers degrading a faculty help no one,” said Campbell.

But Strong has asserted that there is an absence of one forum for all faculties to report incidents of stereotyping. Part of his goal is for students to complete an online survey to share their experiences. The results of this survey will be compiled and sent to faculty societies and the Student Success Centre.

When asked if he felt airing these stereotypes could do more harm then good, perpetuating and introducing new stereotypes, Strong argued that, “Ultimately, the alternative is isolation, and that doesn't really help either, so there is a risk. But would we be any better off if everyone just stayed away and did their own thing? I would say no.”

JOY SANTIAGO / MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

Natalie Timperio

Senior InsideOut Editor

So you’ve got a persistent, irrational fear of an object, activity or situation, and it leads to an intense desire to do anything in your power to avoid it?

Yeah, you’ve got a phobia.

It may cause difficulty breathing, a racing heartbeat, body tremors, a churning stomach or excessive sweating, which might require you to purchase bulk quantities of deodorant.

You may experience intense feelings of overwhelming panic and anxiety, borderline insanity or feeling as if death is upon you.

The bottom line is, unfortunately for you, when you encounter your phobia, you’re paralysed with a fear like none other. Unless you want to live with it for the rest of your life, in which case I advise you to shut yourself away in a cave right now (so long as you don’t have speluncaphobia, a fear of caves), then allow me to offer you some unqualified advice.

Revert to younger years

No, I do not mean cowering into fetal position upon encountering your phobia. Chances are, if you have a phobia, it’s more than likely a result of some traumatic childhood experience that’s somehow nested itself in your subconscious. So, try to think back to a moment in your prepubescent years when you may have experienced a life-altering moment that caused you great pain and anxiety. Often addressing the root cause of a phobia can help you to understand why you have a phobia in the first place. You can then thank your parents for a wonderful upbringing.

Take it easy, lemon squeezy 

Try calming techniques upon encountering your phobia. If you can visualize something happy, then perhaps your phobia will seem less frightening. And if shutting your eyes for just a moment to picture something comical is simply not feasible, try squeezing a stress ball; they’re a great and easy way to release tension without too much effort. Breathing exercises can help to settle your nerves as well.

Self-help with hypnotherapy 

Those crazy pendulum swinging dudes have it right – hypnosis can help to unlock those latent causes of phobia in your subconscious. We’re not born with phobias; they’re something we develop through experience. Your subconscious holds on to early instances of great fear and seeks to avoid repeating them. Hypnotherapy can delve into your subconscious in a way that you may not be able to do on your own.

Insist on the list

Make a list of all the situations that may lead to an awakening of your phobia. This has often been termed “the fear ladder.” Arrange your list items from mild to intense scenarios. Assign a final goal to each – what steps can you take to overcome this fear-inducing situation? Beginning with the least fearful situation, take the steps necessary to overcome your phobia in that particular situation. In time, you’ll be able to work your way up the fear ladder to overcome the worst of them all.

If all of this fails, then best of luck to you. You’re going to need it.